Abstract

OSTEOPOROSIS AWARENESS IN FEMALE POPULATION OF KARACHI: A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY BASED STUDY.

Sana Sarfaraz*, Hadiqa Hussain, Sehrish Karim, Maheen Fatima, Ayesha Kanwal, Atika Irfan

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle which can easily cause fractures. Osteoporosis related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine. Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races. Earlier it was thought that only elderly Women are at risk but now trend is increasing in adult females too. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to evaluate awareness regarding osteoporosis in female population (single and married), factors that promote osteoporosis, its symptoms, treatment and preventive measures that can be adopted. Methodology: It is a descriptive cross sectional survey based study consisting of N= 200 individuals. They were questioned about the term Osteoporosis, its symptoms, diagnosis and the treatment taken for osteoporosis. The answers were recorded as open and close ended. Results: our study showed that 73% single population and 48% of married population were well aware about osteoporosis. 76% married and 29% single population showed positive response in experiencing Back pain. Majority of the population 93%single and 74% married had never gotten their Bone mineral density tested. Among the factors responsible for osteoporosis, the ratio was found highest in case of improper diet i.e. 64% married and 88% unmarried. Majority of the population 72% married individuals while 86% of the unmarried considered soft drinks as a risk factor. 28% married and 90% unmarried population thinks there is no particular treatment for osteoporosis. Conclusion: From our study we came to conclude that majority of both single and married population are aware about the disease Osteoporosis, of which married population experienced the Back pain most but they never go for their bone mineral density test and the ratio of milk intake among this population is very low as well. Awareness needs to be created about Bone Mineral density test, Vitamin D level test, proper diets, exercises and involvement of soft drinks as a risk factor, to decrease the ratio of Osteoporosis that’s going high day by day.

Keywords: Osteoporosis, Married and single, Vitamin D, Calcium, Soft drinks, Diet and Exercise.