Knowledge and health beliefs of elderly women toward osteoporosis in Mansoura, Egypt

Background: Osteoporosis is among the top five conditions causing disability for elder, particularly in women. Unfortunately, Egyptian women were reported to have a lower bone mineral density compared to their Western counterparts. So, this study was conducted to assessed knowledge and beliefs of menopausal women about osteoporosis and their possible associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 208 menopausal women recruited from both rural and urban settings, Mansoura, Egypt. A questionnaire was used to assess socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, and health beliefs of participants about osteoporosis. Results: The overall osteoporosis knowledge assessment tool (OKAT) and osteoporosis health beliefs scale mean scores were 10.8 ± 3.52 and 140.9 ± 18.1, respectively. High education was the only significant predictor to OKAT mean score (p = 0.011). Linear regression revealed that understanding the symptom and knowledge of preventive factors is strongly significant (p ≤ 0.001) independent predictors for women perceptions to the benefit of exercises and susceptibility to osteoporosis (R2 = 0.205 and 0.167; respectively). Conclusions: This study reflects the limited knowledge and modest perceptions toward osteoporosis among menopausal women. Knowledge was a significant predictor of women health beliefs towards osteoporosis. Gender-based preventive programs may help to reduce the burden of osteoporosis in the Egyptian community