Effect of Brief Osteoporosis Education on Knowledge and Awareness in Elderly

Authors : Selkin Yılmaz Muluk, Sevtap Badil Güloglu, Didem Özsüer

Pages : 56-64

Doi:10.53394/akd.1406888

View : 25 | Download : 42

Publication Date : 2025-01-24

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :ABSTRACT Objective: This study assessed the impact of a 20-minute osteoporosis education session on awareness and lifestyle changes in 76 elderly participants in senior day centers. Material and Methods: In this single-group interventional study, participants completed the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT) before and after the educational session. Also one month follow up was conducted with 41 participants, in which the primary focus was on OKAT score changes and secondary outcomes related to dietary calcium intake, exercise, and sun exposure. Results: The mean pre-education OKAT score was 9.76 (±3.40). It was higher in the highly-educated participants (p=0.04). The mean post-education OKAT score was 14.04 (±2.72), and the OKAT scores significantly improved following education (p<0.001). Scores decreased after 1 month (p=0.014) but were still higher than the pre-education scores (<0.001). After the education, a quarter of the participants embraced healthy habits, with dietary modifications being the most common, followed by increased physical activity and sun exposure (31.17%, 24.39%, and 24.39%, respectively). Conclusion: Education improved knowledge and awareness of osteoporosis in middle-aged and older adults, and this improvement lasted for a medium timeframe. This study showed that brief education led by a professional was beneficial for senior day center participants, and that these centers may be ideal places for preventive education.
Keywords : Osteoporoz, Eğitim, Yaşlı merkezleri, Yaşam tarzı değişiklikleri