Awareness of Osteoporosis among Indian Women Aged 30 Years & Above by Using Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale - A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis is a prominent condition present in ageing females characterised by decreased bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to fractures and disability. Osteoporosis is on rise due to increased life expectancy because of good medical care, it has become crucial to know awareness about osteoporosis in women aged 30 years and above so that preventive steps can be taken, therefore, objective of the study was to evaluate the awareness in Indian women by using Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale. Methods: 219 women volunteered in the study with mean age of 49.07 years. Cross sectional descriptive study was conducted by collecting convenient sample at V.S.P. M’s College of Physiotherapy and Lata Mangeshkar hospital, Nagpur between 2021-2022 as per covid19 norms. Result and Discussion: The result revealed that surveyed population was aware about osteoporosis, but overall bone health was the new concept. Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale fetched the data about knowledge of participants about lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, weight gain, at the same time they were knowing about importance of physical activity, but implementation of these activities in their daily routine was a difficult task. All participants were very much positive about improving bone health. The study indicated adequate knowledge on osteoporosis in the age group of 40-50 years. Conclusion: Majority of the population had modest knowledge on osteoporosis. Overall affirmative response was observed on osteoporosis health belief scale. Perceived susceptibility for osteoporosis was low. Practices towards preventing osteoporosis were adequate. Keywords: Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale.