Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to investigate female university students' knowledge, beliefs and self-efficacy regarding osteoporosis. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted amongst 260 female university students in Jordan. This study utilized a package of instruments to measure different variables of the study, including demographic data, Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT), Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS) and Osteoporosis Self-Efficacy Scale (OSES). Results: Participants had a relatively low level of knowledge regarding osteoporosis (M=8.1/20, 40.5%). In general, they had fairly positive beliefs towered osteoporosis with a percentage of 70% (M=3.5/5, SD=0.3) and moderate self-efficacy in practicing osteoporosis recommended practices. No significant differences were observed in participants’ knowledge, beliefs, and self-efficacy of osteoporosis based on their demographic variables except their college specialty. Conclusion: The current study confirmed that female university students had inadequate knowledge about osteoporosis. There is a gap between the participants' beliefs, self-efficacy about osteoporosis and their daily lifestyle. In view of such lack of knowledge of osteoporosis, efforts should be made to raise the level of osteoporosis awareness among university students through health education intervention programs for all-female university students regardless of their college, specialty or academic program.
Highlights
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease represented through decreased bone density that enhances the possibility of bone fracture [1]
The analysis revealed no significant differences in participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of osteoporosis based on their demographic variables except their college specialty (Table 5), where participants from humanitarian colleges scored significantly less than their counterparts in the knowledge of osteoporosis (F=5.012, df=257, P=.007)
The findings of this study demonstrate that female university students had inadequate knowledge about osteoporosis, which matches with the international literature
Summary
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease represented through decreased bone density that enhances the possibility of bone fracture [1]. Due to its fatal complications, the World Health Organization (WHO) [3, 4] classified it as a global health problem constituting a dangerous disease besides stroke, cancer and heart diseases This disease is prevalent in females more than males with variable onset according to their age [5], where elderly women are the most affected age group with different osteoporotic fracture sites. The National Osteoporosis Foundation [8] reported that approximately nine million adult Americans had osteoporosis and more than 48 millions are affected worldwide Such numbers are expected to increase by 2030 to 11.9 and 64.3 millions, respectively, if measures to prevent it are not effective, causing a major health problem.
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