Improvement of women's knowledge, attitude and practice regarding osteoporosis after an interventional educational program

Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis is a major health problem adversely affecting the qualityof life and incurring extra costs on the patient and the society. Primary prevention is mostimportant through healthy dietary habits and proper physical exercise. Aim: the study wascarried out with the aim of evaluating the effect of an educational program about osteoporosison improving women's knowledge, attitudes and practices. Setting: it was conducted in Miniacity in Upper Egypt using a quasi-experimental design. Sample: a systematic random sampleof 150 women was recruited from the registries of home visit program in the faculty ofNursing at Minia University. Tool: Data were collected using an interview questionnairesheet assessing women's medical history, knowledge, attitude, and practices as well as riskfactors for osteoporosis. An educational program based on pertinent literature, and in the lightof the findings of the assessment phase was developed, implemented, and evaluated at the endof the program, and during the 3-month follow-up period. The results revealed that women’spre-program knowledge was low, but significantly improved at the post and follow-up phases(p<0.001). Pre-program attitude and practice were better than knowledge; however,significant improvements were detected after the program. Multivariate analysis revealed thatattendance of the program was the most important independent predictor of the scores ofknowledge, attitude, and practice. Conclusion: the educational program based on needsassessment was effective in improving women’s knowledge, attitude, and practice related toosteoporosis. Recommendations: it is recommended to use this educational program incommunities where the risk factors of osteoporosis are prevalent. The role of health careprofessionals, including nurses, should be more activated.