Community Health Workers Knowledge and Misconceptions Surrounding Osteoporosis Prevention: A Cross-sectional Survey.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge, awareness, and common misconceptions about osteoporosis prevention and to identify gaps in understanding among community health workers in Lahore, Pakistan.
Methodology: All Lady Health Workers (LHWs) in Lahore employed in the National Program for Family Planning & Primary Health Care were considered relevant ppulations. Primary objective was to know knowledge about prevention of osteoporosis by using a validated questionnaire “Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Tool” (OPAAT). Secondary objectives include attitudes, practices, and misconceptions regarding osteoporosis. This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to January 2024 after calculating sample size (n=300). The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 27. The Chi-square test was employed to demonstrate associations between socio-demographic variables and osteoporosis prevention, awareness, and misconceptions.

Results: Among study participants (n=300) most aged between 39-48 years and 68% were married. Results showed that 18.67% of LHW has low knowledge, while 52.33% were having average knowledge regarding osteoporosis prevention and awareness. We found statistically significant association (p < 0.003) between greater levels of knowledge and academic qualification.
Conclusion: LHWs, major community health workforce, found to have not only average knowledge regarding prevention of osteoporosis but also has false belief about; a finding that dictate a dire need for development of educational strategy for LHWs regarding this important health issue.

Keywords: Lady Health Workers, Osteoporosis Prevention, OPAAT Score.