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EVALUATION OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS AMONG FEMALE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Othman Mohammed Almousa , Abdulrahman Mohammed Alruwaili , Hashem Abdulwhab Jaml Allil , Walla Sadiq Alhassan

Background: Osteoporosis is a common disease that is characterized by low bone mass and skeletal fragility, leading to higher risk of fracture. The disease is medically diagnosed as having reduced bone mineral density that is 2.5 standard deviations below the adult peak mean. Approximately 34 % of Saudi female are osteoporotic, to treat and prevent osteoporosis our health care providers should have adequate level of knowledge about osteoporosis. Methods: This study was carried out among medical interns in Saudi Arabia. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, beliefs, and practices towards osteoporosis. Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT), a validated tool was used. This consists of 20 questions to assess knowledge. Results: Rate was 100 % with a total 81 female students. A 45.6 % of the participants were medical interns, 32% were fifth year medical students and 22.4% were sixth year medical students. 83.9% of the participants correctly identify the relation between the age and osteoporosis, 67.9% knew that smoking is one of osteoporosis risk factors, and 46.9% correctly consider present of family history of osteoporosis as a risk factor. 55.9% participants felt eating calcium rich food was difficult. 87.7% felt that if they had osteoporosis that it would change their whole life. Conclusion: Majority of participants had a acceptable level of knowledge on osteoporosis, Steps such as education about osteoporosis risk factors and preventing methods are required to improve the heath states of the community. Keywords: Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

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