A cross-sectional study to screen community health volunteers for hip/knee-osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

CONTEXT

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease mainly affecting hip and knee joints, and osteoporosis is characterized by diminution of bone mass. Both these diseases have a substantial economic impact on society. Community health volunteers (CHVs) being peripheral health workers are prone to such diseases owing to their sociodemographic and occupational profile.

AIM

This study was conducted to estimate the proportion of hip/knee OA and osteoporosis among CHVs and understand determinants of their current bone health status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Screening for OA was done using a tool adopted from a previous study after obtaining due permissions. Weight, height, blood pressure, and bone mineral density of all participants were recorded. Statistical tests such as Chi-square and multiple logistic regression were used for analysis of data.

RESULTS

Out of 80 participants, 50 (62.5%) had increased body mass index (overweight + obese), 10 (12.5%) were hypertensive, 14 (17.5%) CHVs screened positive for hip OA, and 29 (36.3%) were positive for knee OA. Hip OA was associated with advancing age, parity, and obesity. Knee OA was associated with age and exercise. In total, 16.3% subjects were found to have osteoporosis and 61.2% had osteopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that a remarkable proportion of CHVs had bone and joint problems. CHVs must, therefore, receive preventive measures such as health education and screening for these diseases.