Turkish women's knowledge of osteoporosis

BACKGROUND: Preventive measures including patient education can reduce hip fractures related to osteoporosis. Sometimes osteoporosis can be diagnosed with fractures or with a serious health problem, and most women are probably unaware of the risk factors which can be changed by prevention. The first step in preventing osteoporosis in women should be to make them aware of the risk factors. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to determine Turkish women's knowledge about and attitudes to osteoporosis and its prevention. METHODS: A total of 311 women who applied to the Family Medicine department of the Middle East Technical University Medical Center were asked to fill in a questionnaire about osteoporosis. Only 270 of the 311 women who completed the entire questionnaire were included in the study. RESULTS: Nearly 90% of the women surveyed thought they were somewhat familiar with osteoporosis. However, >65% were unaware that the disease is directly responsible for disabling hip fractures, and >40% were unable to identify significant risk factors. Only 36% of the respondents could correctly identify the calcium-rich foods among the choices. CONCLUSION: According to our survey, a considerable number of the Turkish women in our settlement are unaware of the risk factors and the consequences of osteoporosis. Therefore, the women have inadequate knowledge of osteoporosis. There should be information resources easily accessible for the patients. The most important organizational incentives for providing patient information are further health promotion by the health authorities and the support of family physicians and the primary health care team.