Effect of a Screening and Education Programme on Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Regarding Osteoporosis among Malaysians

Chin Yi Chan, Shaanthana Subramaniam, Kok-Yong Chin, Soelaiman Ima-Nirwana, Norliza Muhammad, Ahmad Fairus, Pei Yuen Ng, Jamil Nor Aini, Noorazah Abd Aziz and Norazlina Mohamed
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Chin Yi Chan: Department of Pharmacology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras 56000, Malaysia
Shaanthana Subramaniam: Department of Pharmacology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras 56000, Malaysia
Kok-Yong Chin: Department of Pharmacology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras 56000, Malaysia
Soelaiman Ima-Nirwana: Department of Pharmacology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras 56000, Malaysia
Norliza Muhammad: Department of Pharmacology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras 56000, Malaysia
Ahmad Fairus: Department of Anatomy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras 56000, Malaysia
Pei Yuen Ng: Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Campus, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
Jamil Nor Aini: Faculty of Health Science, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Campus, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia
Noorazah Abd Aziz: Department of Family Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras 56000, Malaysia
Norazlina Mohamed: Department of Pharmacology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras 56000, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: Background: Osteoporosis is an emerging geriatric condition with high morbidity and healthcare cost in developing nations experiencing rapid population ageing. Thus, identifying strategies to prevent osteoporosis is critical in safeguarding skeletal health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a bone health screening and education programme on knowledge, beliefs, and practice regarding osteoporosis among Malaysians aged 40 years and above. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted from April 2018 to August 2019. During the first phase of the study, 400 Malaysians (190 men, 210 women) aged ≥ 40 years were recruited in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Information on subjects’ demography, medical history, knowledge, and beliefs regarding osteoporosis, physical activity status, and dietary and lifestyle practices were obtained. Subjects also underwent body anthropometry measurement and bone mineral density scan (hip and lumbar spine) using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device. Six months after the first screening, similar investigations were carried out on the subjects. Results: During the follow-up session, 72 subjects were lost to follow up. Most of them were younger subjects with a lower awareness of healthy practices. A significant increase in knowledge, beliefs ( p < 0.05), calcium supplement intake ( p < 0.001), and dietary calcium intake ( p = 0.036) and a reduction in coffee intake ( p < 0.001) were found among subjects who attended the follow-up. In this study, the percentage of successful referrals was 41.86%. Subjects with osteoporosis were mostly prescribed alendronate plus vitamin D3 by medical doctors, and they followed the prescribed treatment accordingly. Conclusions: The bone health screening and education programmes in this study are effective in changing knowledge, beliefs, and practice regarding osteoporosis. The information is pertinent to policymakers in planning strategies to prevent osteoporosis and its associated problems among the middle-aged and elderly population in Malaysia. Nevertheless, a more comprehensive bone health education program that includes long-term monitoring and consultation is needed to halt the progression of bone loss.

Keywords: awareness; attitude; bone; behaviour; calcium; education; lifestyle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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