Awareness and knowledge of health care providers regarding osteoporosis in Majmaah city, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a common disease defined by the MOH as “a health condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and increases the risk of fractures”. It develops slowly over several years and is often only diagnosed when a minor fall or sudden impact causes a bone fracture. Women are at higher risk of osteoporosis, especially post-menopause. ” (1). The risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture include modifiable group such as: cigarette smoking, low calcium intake (<500 mg/day), lack of regular physical activity, and prolonged immobilization. On the contrary the non-modifiable factors are: Personal history of previous fragility fracture, height loss of more than 2 cm over 3 years, low body weight, elderly age group, and poor health or frailty. (1). A patient with osteoporosis may present with symptoms like back pain, loss of height over time, a stooped posture, and bones that break more easily than expected. (2) Osteoporosis is considered a global condition that affects 1 in every 3 women and 1 in every 5 men aged 50 and up. In the last two decades, it has gotten a lot of attention all over the world. Because it is a silent disease, it frequently goes unnoticed. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis affects 75 million individuals in Europe, the United States, and Japan, and causes more than 8. 9 million fractures each year, with an osteoporotic fracture occurring every three seconds. In Saudi Arabia (KSA), men and women over the age of 50 have a prevalence of 37. 8% and 28. 2%, respectively, of osteoporosis. In this country, vitamin D deficiency is still known as the leading cause of the disease. (3) Healthcare providers perform an essential role in dealing with osteoporotic patients and each specialty has significant and different aspects in treating osteoporosis patients, therefore in this study we aspire to assess the health care givers’ knowledge and awareness regarding this disease. Research question: Are health care providers well aware of the nature of osteoporosis as a disease? Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the extent of health care providers’ knowledge and awareness regarding osteoporosis. Aim: To identify the level of health care providers’ awareness towards osteoporosis.