Post diagnosis osteoporosis prevention

Aim To examine the influence of knowledge, attitudes and behavioron life quality of patients with osteoporosis diagnosis,and presence of risk factors.Methods The research was conducted amongst patientsof the Osijek Health Centre between April and June2009. Fifty female patients participated, whose densitometryshowed osteoporosis. The examinees were divided intothree age groups: 40-50, 51-60 consisting of 16 examinees(32%) and above 60 consisting of 18 examinees (36%).A questionnaire designed for the purpose of this study wasused as a research instrument.Results Out of 50 female examinees, 26 (52%) of them thoughtthat they had enough knowledge, whereas 24 (48%) examineesthought they did not have enough knowledge aboutosteoporosis. The major information source about the diseaseto 28 examinees (56%) were doctors, whereas nurses were thelast one for five (10%) examinees. Medical staff recommendationsare accepted by 38 examinees (76%), while 11 (22%)examinees have a selective approach to health recommendations,whereas one (2%) examinee completely ignores healthrecommendations. A significant difference regarding informationsource, procedures which they consider important forosteoporosis control and examinees attitudes towards the questionabout daily performance of osteoporosis exercises existsbetween younger and older examinees (p=0.037). Youngerexaminees do not have noticeable symptoms, aches and fractures,so they think they can avoid recommendations withoutany health consequences. Only three (6%) examinees had quitsmoking after the osteoporosis diagnosis.Conclusion The oscillations in knowledge, attitudes and behavioramongst examinees from different age groups were noted.