Women's knowledge and practices regarding the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis and related fractures are a major cause of disability, institutionalization, and death among aging women. Unless prevented or actively treated, osteoporosis will continue to limit both the quantity and quality of life for many older women and significantly add to the health care costs of this rapidly growing population group. This study was designed to assess women's knowledge and practices regarding the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. A descriptive/exploratory design was used to survey a convenience sample of 185 women. Measures of knowledge and practices were obtained with a hand-delivered questionnaire. Data were statistically and thematically described. The results suggest that women are receiving inadequate information about osteoporosis, possess limited knowledge about the disease, and are not taking adequate measures to prevent or treat osteoporosis as they age. Implications for health education on these issues are addressed and plans for future research are briefly discussed.