Anwar Farah, Iftekhar Hiba, Taher Tasneem, Kazmi Syeda K, Rehman Fatima Z, Humayun Minhal, Mahmood Samar
Internal Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, PAK.
Internal Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi , PAK.
Cureus. 2019 Sep 22;11(9):e5724. doi: 10.7759/cureus.5724.
Introduction The use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning is instrumental in better management of osteoporosis. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge about DEXA scanning and bone health in the women of Karachi, as well as to analyze their practices concerning the scan and increase their knowledge and awareness regarding the same. Methodology The sample size for this cross-sectional study was 384. Data were collected using a self-devised and validated questionnaire, consisting of four sections: social demographics, general knowledge about DEXA scanning, practices regarding DEXA, and knowledge about bone health. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and associations between multiple variables calculated, using independent sample t-test and Pearson's chi-squared test. Results Only one-third of our sample population had heard about DEXA scanning and amongst them, nobody had complete knowledge about it. The mean score of general knowledge of DEXA (5.3±2.0) was higher than that of knowledge about the conditions in which DEXA scanning is recommended (2.7±2.1). The knowledge score showed a significant correlation with education (p=0.007) and employment (p=0.001). Only 7.6% of the sample population had taken a DEXA scan and knowledge and employment status were found to have significant associations with practices (p value=0.000 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusions The awareness levels regarding DEXA scans and bone health should be evaluated amongst similar and other groups of people and effective measures be put into application to educate the public and to guide them towards better prevention and management of osteoporosis.
引言 双能X线吸收法（DEXA）扫描有助于更好地管理骨质疏松症。本研究旨在评估卡拉奇女性对DEXA扫描和骨骼健康的了解程度，分析她们关于该扫描的行为，并增加她们对其的知识和认识。方法 本横断面研究的样本量为384。使用自行设计并经验证的问卷收集数据，问卷包括四个部分：社会人口统计学、关于DEXA扫描的一般知识、关于DEXA的行为以及关于骨骼健康的知识。使用社会科学统计软件包（SPSS）23版对数据进行分析，并使用独立样本t检验和Pearson卡方检验计算多个变量之间的关联。结果 我们的样本人群中只有三分之一听说过DEXA扫描，其中没有人对其有全面的了解。DEXA的一般知识平均得分（5.3±2.0）高于推荐进行DEXA扫描的情况的知识得分（2.7±2.1）。知识得分与教育程度（p=0.007）和就业情况（p=0.001）显示出显著相关性。样本人群中只有7.6%进行过DEXA扫描，并且发现知识和就业状况与行为有显著关联（p值分别为0.000和0.001）。结论 应在类似和其他人群中评估对DEXA扫描和骨骼健康的认识水平，并采取有效措施对公众进行教育，引导他们更好地预防和管理骨质疏松症。
