Maratib Ali, Tariq S M, Aslam Siddiqui, Nauman Hussain, Adnan, Imran.
Awareness of osteoporosis in health literate urban women of Karachi.
J Pak Orthop Assoc Jan ;23(2):65-70.

Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practice about osteoporosis among literate healthy women of Karachi Study Design: Cross sectional Study Place and Duration of Study: Cross-Sectional Study conducted over a period of Six months from May 2009 to October 2009 at Department of orthopedic Unit Civil Hospital Karachi. Study Design: Retrospective case series Patients and Methods: Two hundred forty six women over the age of 40 years who visited orthopedic outpatient department of Civil Hospital Karachi as an attendant and literate in Urdu were included in the study. A detailed questionnaire in local language (Urdu) was filled from each participant by themselves. It inquired about their understanding of osteoporosis and its consequences and its relationship with female gender, old age, exposure to sunlight and menstruation. Their dietary habits were evaluated regarding intake of fish, meat, etc. the respondents were also inquired about the family history of osteoporosis and related fractures and the presence of proper treatment facilities in Pakistan. Results: A total of 246 women were included in this study 107(43.5%) women knew anything about osteoporosis and 140(56.9%) women said yes that there is chance of fracture because of this disease. Responding to lifestyle habits less that 50% use milk and fish in their diet while about 30% said sometimes. About half of women used Niqab in daily life outside home. Adequate sunlight was taken by only 45.1% of women. Conclusion: Majority of literate women had very poor knowledge of osteoporosis. Most of them are not following healthy dietary habits and lifestyle in terms of prevention for this disease.

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