KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF OSTEOPOROSIS AMONG 144 YOUNG WOMEN AT CALMETTE HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate the level of knowledge and awareness about osteoporosis of young women at Calmette hospital. Methods We conveniently selected 144 women based on the selecting criteria. They were interviewed in Khmer language, face-to-face using structured-questionnaire which include demographic characteristic, lifestyle information, knowledge of osteoporosis and interest in an osteoporosis prevention. Results The average age of the participants was 28.43 (±4.42) years. Self-employed represented a large proportion. The study showed that only one fourth of participants went to a higher education. Most of the participants stated that they have known about osteoporosis while friends or family was the most common source of information. Only 16.67% have known osteoporotic patient. Most of them have a moderately bone-friendly lifestyle. Their calcium source depended largely on green vegetable. The average mean score of knowledge was 9.34 (±3.08) (range from 0 to 20). However, a half of them worried about suffering of osteoporosis in their later years of life. Around two thirds wanted to undergo an osteoporosis screening test. A majority was interested in osteoporosis prevention. Social media and community outreach were recommended as sensitizing measures. The osteoporosis knowledge was only correlated significantly (P-value: 0.007) with educational level. Conclusion Despite of low level of knowledge of osteoporosis, young Cambodian women was interested in osteoporosis screening and prevention. Educational intervention, such as public awareness programs regarding a bone-friendly lifestyle and osteoporosis screening, is crucial in sensitizing the general population about osteoporosis and its complication.