Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the osteoporosis knowledge and health belief questionnaires

Abstract

Osteoporosis has emerged as one of the most common diseases in the aged population. Approximately 25% of women and 10% of men aged 60 years or above are affected by osteoporosis [ [1] Nguyen TV, Eisman JA. Risk factors for low bone mass in elderly men. In: Orwoll ES, editor. Osteoporosis in men. San Diego: Academic Press; 1999. p. 335–62. Google Scholar ]. Osteoporosis is one of the most significant public health problems in the world because it pre-disposes to fractures with minimal or no antecedent trauma. These fractures are, in turn, associated with increased mortality, reduced quality of life and high health care costs [ [2] Cummings S.R. Melton L.J. Epidemiology and outcomes of osteoporotic fractures. Lancet. 2002; 359: 1761-1767 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2781) Google Scholar ]. Prevention, including regular physical activity and adequate calcium intake, is recognized as a valuable strategy to reduce the prevalence and burden of osteoporosis [ 3 NIH Consensus Development Panel on Osteoporosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy. Osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and therapy. JAMA 2001;285(6):785–95. Google Scholar , 4 North American Menopause Society. The role of calcium in peri- and postmenopausal women: consensus opinion of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause 2001;8(2):84–95. Google Scholar , 5 Dawson-Hughes B. Calcium and vitamin D nutritional needs of elderly women. J Nutr. 1996; 126: 1165S-1167S PubMed Google Scholar , 6 Kanis J.A. The use of calcium in the management of osteoporosis. Bone. 1999; 24: 279-290 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (68) Google Scholar , 7 Forwood M.R. Larsen J.A. Exercise recommendations for osteoporosis; a position statement of the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society. Aust Fam Physician. 2000; 29: 761-764 PubMed Google Scholar ].