Awareness about osteoporosis among health care providers in a community hospital: A cross-sectional study

Priyadarshini Gunaseelan; Adlyne Reena Asirvatham; Seshadri Varadarajan; Bala Venkataramani; Anusha Sridhar; Shriraam Mahadevan

Volume : VIII, Issue : II, February - 2018

Awareness about osteoporosis among health care providers in a community hospital: A cross-sectional study

Priyadarshini Gunaseelan, Adlyne Reena Asirvatham, Seshadri Varadarajan, Bala Venkataramani, Anusha Sridhar, Shriraam Mahadevan

Abstract :

Context:

Osteoporosis is a silent global epidemic posing great economic burden. Knowledge about osteoporosis is essential to prevent fractures and morbidity. Health care providers are the link between physician and patients and should be aware about this disease.

Aim:

We intended to assess awareness about osteoporosis among young health care providers of a community hospital using Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS).

Materials & Methods:

A questionnaire (OHBS)–based study in 154 health care providers in a community hospital was conducted. The volunteers were aged between 18 and 30 years and included men and women.

Results:

Out of 154, 22 were males (14%) and 132 were females (86%). 74% were aware about the disease and 95% identified that osteoporosis affects bones. 58.5% opined that fracture would be the clinical presentation of osteoporosis.

Conclusion:

Our study shows modest level of awareness among health care providers in hospital that should improve with health education.