STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE ON PREVENTION OF OSTEOPOROSIS AMONG WOMEN RESIDING IN SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITY AT TIRUCHIRAPPALLI, TAMILNADU.

Osteoporosis is one of the significant problem in rapidly ageing populations in the world. It causes a drastic impact on personal and social domain and increases the economic burden among family. Aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of women regarding osteoporosis prevention. Quantitative study was conducted among 245 women between the age group of 31 to 50 years residing in Eechampatti village under Manachanallur Taluk, Tiruchirappalli district. Convenient sampling technique was used for selecting 245 women in this study. Data was collected using standardized tool which had part I, demographic variables and part II was Osteoporosis knowledge test. Descriptive statistics was used to assess the demographic variables and inferential statistics was used to associate the selected background variables with level of knowledge. The present study results revealed that most of the participants had poor knowledge (76%) about osteoporosis and only 9% of the participants had adequate knowledge on prevention of osteoporosis. Hence the researcher concluded that community awareness program is essential to prevent osteoporosis among women.