Awareness and Knowledge of Osteoporosis among Medical Students at a Private Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan: An Assessment Using the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT)

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to assess knowledge and perception regarding osteoporosis among medical students at a private medical college in Lahore, Pakistan, using the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT).

Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2024 at Azra Naheed Medical College, Superior University, Lahore. The validated OKAT was employed to measure osteoporosis awareness. Institutional Ethical Board approval was obtained, and 323 medical students aged 18 years and above were recruited through non-probability consecutive sampling. Data were collected via an online Google Form and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05.

Results: Of the 323 participants, 176 (54.5%) were female, and 147 (45.5%) were male, with a mean age of 20.9 ± 2.1 years. The majority (169, 52.3%) were aged 22 years or older. A family history of osteoporosis was reported by 66 (20.4%) participants. Most respondents were final-year MBBS students (129, 39.9%), followed by first-year students (117, 36.2%). The mean OKAT score was 11.0 ± 3.6, with 155 (48.0%) demonstrating average and 115 (35.6%) acceptable knowledge about osteoporosis. Stratification revealed significant associations between osteoporosis knowledge and age (p < 0.001), family history of osteoporosis (p = 0.006), and MBBS year (p < 0.001), but no significant association with gender (p = 0.299).

Conclusion: The majority of participants exhibited average to acceptable levels of osteoporosis knowledge based on their OKAT scores. Further educational initiatives may enhance awareness and prevention efforts among medical students.