Levels of knowledge and beliefs regarding osteoporosis: Preliminary results of a survey among Moroccan women living in Casablanca

Jihad MOULAY BERKCHI 1, 2, *, Dounia TAHRI JI HASSANI 1, Kawtar FEJRY 1, Samia BELKHADIR 1 and Lahsen ACHEMLAL 1

1 Rheumatology Department, Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences (UM6SS), Casablanca, Morocco.
2 Laboratory of neurosciences and Oncogenetics, Mohammed VI center for research and innovation, Casablanca, Morocco.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(03), 1544–1553
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.3.2757
 
Publication history: 
Received on 30 July 2024; revised on 11 September 2024; accepted on 13 September 2024
 
Abstract: 
Objectives: To get closer to the beliefs and knowledge of Moroccan women over 18 years old living in Casablanca.
Methods and patients: The survey was conducted among a population aged 18 and over. An in-depth questionnaire was carried out with the aim of distinguishing gaps in knowledge but also popular beliefs limiting good understanding.
Results: 322 participants were included, aged from 19 to 86 years.96% of participants were familiar with the term osteoporosis without any correlation with age, level of education or place of residence. The primary source of information was family and neighborhood in 59%.57% considered the therapeutic arsenal expensive and was no way correlated with monthly income. 90% mentioned the preponderant role of calcium and vitamin intake in preserving bone health. Vitamin D deficiency, rheumatic and endocrine history represented the popular beliefs most implicated in the occurrence of osteoporosis in 90%,86%,78%respectively. The major impact of osteoporosis represented by the risk of fracture and the disability caused were part of the achievements in 97% and 95% respectively.
Conclusion: The general knowledge of the Casablanca female population was high compared to numerous studies carried out in the same context.
 
Keywords: 
Osteoporosis; Survey; Knowledge; Beliefs; Moroccan female population
 
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