Assessing health beliefs about osteoporosis among women attending primary health care centres in Qatar

OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis is a global health problem, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing worldwide. Misconceptions about osteoporosis and the lack of preventive measures among women are still common, emphasizing the need for primary prevention at an early age. The process of planning an effective osteoporosis prevention programme requires sufficient information about women's osteoporosis health beliefs. The objective of this study is to assess the health beliefs of 20–44 year-old Arab women about osteoporosis at primary health care centres in the State of Qatar. METHODS: The researchers utilized a cross-sectional study design, where cluster sampling with proportionate allocation was employed to enrol 766 eligible women who were interviewed using a structured Arabic questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of the participating women showed lower perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis (71.7%) but higher perceived benefits of preventive practices (91.7%). CONCLUSION: Despite lower perception of susceptibility to osteoporosis, women were highly motivated to take care of their health and believed in the benefits of a calcium-rich diet and regular exercise. The integration of osteoporosis prevention into women's health programmes at the primary health care level, as well as physical activity and nutritional programs, are recommended.