title: Inter-correlation of knowledge, attitude, and osteoporosis preventive behaviors in women around the age of peak bone mass.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As silent and preventable in nature, postmenopausal osteoporosis awareness should be raised among young women prior to an irreversible period of declining bone mass. We therefore decided to assess the inter-correlation of knowledge, attitude and osteoporosis preventive behaviors in women around the age of peak bone mass.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in 430 women aged 20-35 years. The participants' knowledge, attitude and behaviors concerning osteoporosis prevention were assessed along with demographic data using a four-part questionnaire. The items in this questionnaire were established by extensive literature review, including the Guideline for Management of Osteoporosis of the Thai Osteoporosis Foundation (TOPF) 2010. The content was validated by experts in osteoporosis and reliability was obtained with a Cronbach's alpha score of 0.83.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of women in this study was 29.4 ± 4.6 years. Half of the participants (49.5%) had heard about osteoporosis, mostly from television (95.3%, n = 203/213) and the internet (72.8%, n = 155/213). Most women had certain knowledge (85.2%) and positive attitude towards osteoporosis (53.3%). Nevertheless, 80% of the studied population did not have appropriate osteoporosis behaviors. We found significant correlation between the level of attitudes and osteoporosis behaviors (adjusted odd ratio = 3.3 with 95% confidence interval of 1.9-5.7); attitude and educational level (adjusted odd ratio = 2.2 with 95% confidence interval of 1.4-3.4); and attitude and knowledge (adjusted odd ratio = 3.5 with 95% confidence interval of 1.8-6.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite having certain knowledge about osteoporosis, the young women did not seem to have appropriate osteoporosis preventive behaviors. Developing a right attitude towards osteoporosis may be a key determinant to improving health practices in order to prevent osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Menopause Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. kwan_ploynin@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ploynin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puttapitakpong
authors.forename: Sukanya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chaikittisilpa
authors.forename: Krasean
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Panyakhamlerd
authors.forename: Chaichana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nimnuan
authors.forename: Unnop
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jaisamrarn
authors.forename: Nimit
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taechakraichana
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult