Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding osteoporosis among premenopausal and postmenopausal women: an exploratory study in a tertiary care hospital, Egypt

Osteoporosis significantly increases fracture risk and places a heavy burden on health systems and individuals. Women’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) play a key role in prevention.

This cross-sectional study included 200 women attending outpatient clinics at Kasr Al-Ainy Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. A validated questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices.

Overall knowledge was moderate (median score 8 out of 13), with 54% of participants showing poor knowledge. Awareness was relatively high for the higher prevalence among females (71%), older adults (85%), increased fracture risk (83%), and the benefits of walking (87%). However, important gaps remained regarding modifiable risk factors such as sedentary lifestyle (48%) and smoking (35%), diagnosis by bone mineral density testing (48%), and the timing of peak bone mass (only 12%). Attitudes were largely negative, with 80% classified as poor. Preventive practices were inadequate: only 29% reported daily consumption of vegetables and 26% daily fruits intake, while just 11% consumed a balanced diet daily. Daily milk was reported by 18% of particpants. Vitamin D supplementation was limited with only 10% taking supplements daily and 43% never using them. Sun exposure exceeding 15 min daily was reported by only 4% with 21% never and 21% rarely engaging in such activity. Smoking and alcohol consumption were uncommon (94% and 97%) reported never using them. Younger age (≤ 43 years), higher education, and certain occupations were significantly associated with better KAP scores (p < 0.001).

This study is one of the first in Egypt to comprehensively evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice regarding osteoporosis across both premenopausal and postmenopausal in a tertiary care setting. Egyptian women showed moderate knowledge but poor attitudes and preventive practices toward osteoporosis. Culturally tailored educational interventions are urgently needed to address these gaps and help reduce the future burden of fractures.