WOMENS KNOWLEDGE OF OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis affects one in four women over the age of 65 and is a maj or cause of hip fractures that place women in nursing homes. In this s tudy of 247 women, their knowledge of osteoporosis was assessed with t he Facts on Osteoporosis Quiz. The instrument measured their responses to questions about self-care practices related to risk factors and pr eventive behavior associated with osteoporosis. Respondents came from occupational and primary health care settings and a health fair. The w omen ranged in age from 22 to 84 years. Findings indicated that the ma jority of women had inadequate knowledge of osteoporosis risk factors and preventive behavior. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.