The Awareness of Elderly about Osteoporosis: What about Our Elderly?

Abstract

Objective: Osteoporosis (OP) and bone fractures that can result in pain, functional impairment and death are important public health problems for the elderly. The aim of our study was to asses the awareness and the information level about OP in the elderly. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 participants (203 were women, 47 were men) who were 65 years and older who presented to our outpatient clinic were included the study. Demographic data were recorded. A 26 item questionnaire was used in the assessment of information on the OP risk factors in 220 (88%) cases who reported that they are aware about OP. Questionnaires were filled with face-toface interview. Results: There was no significant difference between gender and age groups (<75 and ≥75 years) in terms of OP awareness. OP awareness of literate cases was significantly higher than that in illiterate cases (p=0.023). OP awareness of cases with living in urban areas was significantly higher than that in cases living in rural areas (p=0.003). The main sources of information about OP were physicians (48.6%) and television (39.5%). It was determined that most commonly known risk factors of OP were inadequate calcium intake, female gender, aging, menopause and lack of exercise while they did not have enough knowledge about other risk factors. Conclusion: OP awareness increases with high education level and urban life in elderly. In our country, visual media and doctors are the most important source of information due to the low level of education of elderly. This situation should be considered when creating an educational program about OP for the elderly. (Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis 2015;21: 69-72)

Keywords

• Osteoporosis
• elderly
• awareness
• education