Abstract:
This cross sectional descriptive study was carried out for four months starting from August
2006 and the sample size was calculated to be 422 according to the WHO guidelines
published in Sample Size Calculation in Health studies. A convenient sampling technique
was adopted to recruit study participants to the study. Information was obtained through an
interviewer administered questionnaire with four components. First component obtained
data on the socio- demographic features of the study participants. The second component
Overall knowledge on osteoporosis was low among the participants. It was associated with
level of education ( p0.01) and Sinhalese ethnicity (OR=2.6; p<0.01). Those who had an
education of G.C.E ordinary level or more had a higher had a satisfactory level of
knowledge compared to there less educated counterparts (19.8 percent , n=84). Those who
had an education of G.C.E ordinary level or more had a higher had a satisfactory level of
knowledge compared to there less educated counterparts ( 19.8percent; n=84). Those who
were of Sinhalese (22.2 percent ; n=94), ethnicity had a satisfactory level of knowledge
compared to their counterparts belonging to other ethnicities ( 22.2 percent; n=94), age
religion and marital status were not significantly associated with the satisfactory level of
knowledge. Calcium supplementation intake (59,2 percent ; n=251) was commonly related
to supplementation during pregnancy hormone replacement therapy (HRT) following
cessation of ovarian activity was (3.3 percent) and prevalence of vitamin D intake was 00
percent. As for nutrition 91.7 percent (n=389) of the study participants had a balanced diet
rich in calcium. In the domestic setting , level of physical activity was associated with age (
Or=2.5;p<0.01) and level of education (OR=2.95;p<0.01). Woman who were 45 years were
less active in the domestic setting compared to their older counterparts ( 36.8 percent) :
n=156). Those who had an education of G,C,E ordinary level of more also lead a less active
life at home ( 13 percent ; n=55). In the employment setting level of physical activity was
associated with level of education ( OR =0.2; p<0.01) and religion ( OR =0.2; p,0.04). The
commonest source of information on osteoporosis along these women was the television (
37 percent ; n=157) . In this backdrop, it is recommended that promotion of life style
modifications such as taking part in physical exercise, intake of a balanced diet rich in
calcium, intake of calcium supplementation at an appropriate age and hormone replacement
therapy under medical supervision cessation of ovarian activity by the WWCs
