Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward osteoporosis: a questionnaire survey

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Bone Health Research
• Health Education

Background:

• Osteoporosis is a widespread condition often diagnosed late, causing significant health issues and costs.
• Understanding community-dwelling adults' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding osteoporosis is vital for management.
• This study assesses KAP related to osteoporosis and its daily management in adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of community-dwelling adults concerning osteoporosis.
• To analyze the relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and practices in osteoporosis management.
• To identify the impact of knowledge and attitudes on osteoporosis prevention practices.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 776 outpatients aged 18 and older at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University.
• Data collected via questionnaires on demographics and osteoporosis KAP scores.
• Structural equation modeling (SEM) used to analyze relationships and mediation effects among KAP.

Main Results:

• The mean KAP scores were: Knowledge (14.66±9.06), Attitude (43.41±5.00), and Practice (54.00±13.66).
• Significant positive correlations found between knowledge, attitude, and practice (all p < 0.001).
• SEM revealed knowledge directly impacts attitude and practice, and attitude directly impacts practice; knowledge also indirectly impacts practice via attitude.

Conclusions:

• The study sample exhibited insufficient osteoporosis knowledge and suboptimal prevention practices, alongside positive attitudes.
• Knowledge directly influences attitudes and practices; attitudes directly influence practices.
• Targeted educational interventions are essential to boost osteoporosis awareness and promote effective preventive behaviors for better bone health.