Study of the Level of Osteoporosis Awareness among Women Dwelling in Urban Area |
Miyoung Chung, Kyunghye Hwang, Euysoon Choi |
1Department of Nursing, Dong-U College, Sokcho, Korea. 2Solid Tumor Center, The Catholic University of Korea, ST. MARY'S Hospital, Seoul, Korea. 3College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. eschoi@catholic.ac.kr |
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Abstract |
PURPOSE This study was implemented to investigate the level of awareness of osteoporosis among urban women. METHODS: A survey was conducted with a sample size of 434 adult females who resided in metropolises in Korea such as Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Pusan, Gyeongsangnam-do, Kangwon-do, Jeju-do and Jeollanam-do. Osteoporosis Awareness Scale was consisted of five areas with total number of 31 questions. The questionnaire's scale was 1 to 4 point, 4 point being the highest understanding level. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics method. RESULTS: The average awareness level of subjects was 2.38 and significant different depending on participants' age, education level, previous encounter with any information about osteoporosis, preventive behavior of osteoporosis, bone mineral density test, fracture history, diet control experience, and regular exercise. In osteoporosis awareness level by five areas, preventive behaviors 2.76 resulted in the highest score and characteristics of osteoporosis 2.51, bone physiology 2.46, improving bone health 2.38, and risk factors 1.80 followed respectively. CONCLUSION: We should implement bone health programs from a various perspective in order to raise women's osteoporosis awareness. In addition, We need follow-up studies on whether or not the increase on awareness level actually would result in changing in their behavior. |
Key Words:
Awareness; Osteoporosis |
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