KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS OSTEOPOROSIS AMONG SAUDI POPULATION IN TAIF CITY.

Osteoporosis remains a major global public health concern. In Saudi Arabia osteoporosis is a serious issue, with the kingdom's population of 1,461,401 aged 50 or more, approximately 8,768 suffer from femoral fractures each years, costing yearly 1.14 billion in health care cost .In women over 45 years of age osteoporosis accounts for more days spent in hospital than many other diseases, including diabetes and breast cancer .Aim of the study :To assess knowledge, attitude and practices towards osteoporosis , also to find out most common risk factors among population in Taif city. Method:Cross sectional descriptive study was conducted at King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital and King Faisal Hospital, Taif city, KSA in a sample of 109 patients in the period from Jan to April 2016.Result :25 patients (22%) were diagnosed with osteoporosis, 52 patients (48%) with osteopenia and 30 patients (28%) were normal on BMD test , a significant correlation was found between age and BMD test (P=0.023), most affected age group with osteoporosis was (51 and above) with (74%). Conclusion: Knowledge of osteoporosis among the study sample was moderate as regards its risk factors, but was very low about BMD test. (52.3%) do exercises. (71%) drink milk (45%) take calcium dietary supplements. Only (19%) eat enough amount of fruits everyday and only (2.8%) smoke cigarettes. Awareness level should be elevated among Taif community to prevent further growth of osteoporosis.