Evaluation of Osteoporosis Risk and Awareness in Women Aged 45 and Over Admitted to a University Hospital

Osteoporosis is a metabolic disease that disrupts the microarchitecture of the bone. As life expectancy increases, so does the frequency of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a preventable disease and its progression can be slowed. The aim of this study is to assess the risk and awareness of osteoporosis in women and to investigate the variables thought to be associated with it. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 451 women aged 45 years and older. The Osteoporosis Risk Scale (ORS) and the Osteoporosis Awareness Scale (OAS) were used in this study. The study group consisted of women aged 45 to 85 years, with an average age of 57.8 ± 9.3 years. In this study, 402 women were found to be at risk for osteoporosis. The women's ORS scores ranged from 5 to 40, with an average of 19.6 ± 4.2 points. OAS scores ranged from 27 to 107, with an average of 57.7 ± 15.0. A weak negative correlation was found between ORS scores and OAS scores. This study found that 89.1% of women were at risk for osteoporosis. Women who were not obese, were not taking medication for osteoporosis in postmenopause and did not have a medically diagnosed bone disease had a higher risk of osteoporosis. Women's awareness of osteoporosis was moderate. Any educational movement to protect against osteoporosis, a preventable disease, will protect society from osteoporosis by empowering individuals to recognize their own risk factors and take steps to reduce them.