KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES AGAINST OSTEOPOROSIS AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN IBADAN NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Osteoporosis remains the most common metabolic bone disorders affecting both male and female but with greater incidence among the female. However, it is being neglected as it competes for scarce healthcare resources for other diseases. As little attention is given to it, it is under diagnosed and under treated, and public awareness is almost non-existent in most African countries. It has been reported that bone gain occurs in young adults till the age of 30 years and so primary strategies should be aimed at young women as interventions could delay the onset of the disease. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices against osteoporosis among women of reproductive age in Ibadan North East Local Government Area, Oyo State. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey using a validated semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire to collect information on socio-demographic, knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice against osteoporosis. Three hundred and ninety-three women of reproductive age consented to participate in the study through a multi-stage sampling technique. A 31-point knowledge scale was used to assess the knowledge of osteoporosis and scores ≤10 was rated poor, while scores between 11 and 20 were rated fair and scores ≥21 was rated as good. The attitude was assessed on a 13-point scale, and scores ≤6 were categorised as negative while scores ≥ 6 were categorised as positive attitude. The practice was assessed on a 9-point scale, and scores ≤ 4 and scores ≥4 were categorised as poor and good practices respectively. Data collected was analysed using descriptive (frequency tables) and inferential statistics such as Chi-square with the level of significance set at p<0.05. The mean age of the respondents was 28.3±9.2 years. Less than half of the respondents (48.0%) were between the ages of 15-26 years. About half (50.7%) were married. Most respondents had secondary school education (48.1%). Most of the respondents (58.0%) reported that their parents influence their health decision while 29.0% reported their partners as their influencers. Most respondents (61.0%) mentioned media (television and radio) as their source of information on osteoporosis. Less than half (46.0%) had poor knowledge of osteoporosis. Majority of the respondents (90.0%) had a positive attitude. There was a significant relationship between the knowledge and literacy level, age, income, and parity. A significant relationship was also found between income and attitude. Few respondents reported that they were aware of the disease. Information on osteoporosis was mostly obtained from the media, this can be both incomplete and inadequate. Majority of the respondents mentioned their parents as their greatest influence in making health decisions, the success of osteoporosis prevention programs might, therefore, depend on the parents’ acceptance. Women should be encouraged to eat healthily and cut down on soft-drink or carbonated water consumption as it imparts negatively on bone health. Health education, community-based programs and advocacy can be used to increase awareness and knowledge of the disease among women of reproductive age.