الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
steoporosis is a growing health problem in developing countries especially with increasing life expectancy, it is considered an important public health concern among aging population, and it is among the top five conditions causing disability and prolonged hospital stay.
Knowledge about osteoporosis is a major contributor to osteoporosis preventive behavior, people need to be aware of their risk for osteoporosis, they can take steps early to slow its progress and prevent complications.
The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis among participants, and to evaluate the effectiveness of health education among female employees to help in prevention of osteoporosis.
The study consisted of three phases:
- Baseline assessment:
185 Participants were interviewed using a questionnaire to collect data about socio demographic characteristics, medical history regarding osteoporosis, knowledge about osteoporosis using the osteoporosis knowledge assessment tool OKAT, attitude and health beliefs towards osteoporosis was collected using the osteoporosis health belief scale OHBS, and practice towards osteoporosis.
A referral letter was given to all participants to do DEXA scanning.
Anthropometric measures of participants were collected, weight and height were collected from the DEXA report, body mass index was calculated by division of weight (kg) by height square (m²)
- Intervention phase
All participants were subjected to health education program consisted of two sessions, covering several items of osteoporosis definition, symptoms, complications, risk factors and prevention.
- Post –intervention evaluation phase:
All participants were submitted to the same pre test questionnaire six months after the end of the program.
The collected data were interpreted and was assessed by a scoring system.
Results can be summarized into:
Pre assessment results:
1- Socio-demographic characteristics: showed that the mean age of participants was 57.77±5.02, most of them were married 68.6%, 17.3% of participants were smokers.
2- Source of participants’ information: The main source of information was mass media 31.9%.
3- Knowledge of the studied participants: At base level mean OKAT score was 8.54±3.46 (out of 20).
4- Health beliefs of the studied participants: at base line total mean score of OHBS was 135.8±12.2(out of 210).
5- Anthropometric measures :
Mean weight of participants was 84.8±14.3, mean height was 157.5±5.4cm, and mean BMI was 34.1±5.2
Results of DEXA scanning: according to DEXA reports results 24.3% of the studied sample had osteoporosis, while 54.1% was osteopenic and 21.6% of the participants were normal.
Post assessment results:
- The knowledge of the studied participants significantly improved after education, the mean OKAT knowledge score increased from 8.54±3.46 to 12.26±2.48.
- The health beliefs of the participants towards osteoporosis improved regarding the seven subscales of OHBS, total OHBS score increased from135.8±12.2 to 147.2±6.1 after education.
- After health education practice of physical activity and dietary habits of the participants to prevent osteoporosis improved.
The results of this study showed that:
- High prevalence of osteoporosis 24.3% and osteopenia 54.1% in postmenopausal women.
- The health education program was successful in improving knowledge, attitude and practice of the participants to a healthier one.
Such programs should be implemented in all hospitals and medical sectors all over the country putting in consideration that osteoporosis is a serious disease that needs more attention from government and media as well.