ISSN: 2639-2038
Authors: Chibuogwu UJ*
Background: osteoporosis is a global problem and affects mainly the bone. An individual can be predisposed to osteoporosis by many risk factors including race/ethnicity, drug, lifestyle and disease. Systemic corticosteroid use has been implicated as an important risk factor. A good knowledge of this disease and risk factors awareness help in the prevention of this debilitating disease. The study assessed the knowledge of patients on osteoporosis and the predisposing risk factors in the patient population. Method: The study was carried out in dermatology clinic, Lagos University Teaching Hospital Yaba. A modified questionnaire was administered to the patients (n=115). The data obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Result: In a total of 115 patients, 37.4% (n=43) had good knowledge of life style, 17.4% (n=20) had good knowledge of hormonal/ disease state, 12.2% (n=14) had high life style risk factors while 0.9% (n=1) had high disease state/hormonal risk factors. Conclusion: The general knowledge level of osteoporosis of patients was poor. The patients were moderately at risk of developing osteoporosis. More awareness, health education and good life style modification is also encouraged.
Keywords: Knowledge; Risk; Osteoporosis
