| Objective To investigate the recognition and influential factors of osteoporosis in the elderly community in Jinzhou, and to provide evidence for the prevention of senile osteoporosis. Methods The study subjects were elder people who were older than 60 years in Jinzhou community. A self-designed questionnaire was conducted in 225 old people. Results The recognition of osteoporosis in the elderly was good. However, poor recognition existed in the common diagnose method of osteoporosis (16%) and in prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis by hormone replacement therapy (14.2%). The most common ways to obtain osteoporosis knowledge included TV/radio and other media (n=117, 52%), no osteoporosis knowledge propaganda in the community (n=196, 87.1%), and knowledge from family and friends who worked in medical field (n=76, 33.8%). People willing to take preventive measures were 182 (80.9%). The way that elder people wanted to know about osteoporosis knowledge included professional lecture (25.8%), newspapers and magazines (8.9%), television and radio (32%), and relatives and friends (25.8%), respectively. The osteoporosis recognition in total population and women in different ages declined with the increase of age. The osteoporosis recognition in females over 60-year group was superior to that in males. Factors that affect the osteoporosis recognition in the elderly included willing to take preventive measures, community publicity, family/friends work in medical field, sunlight exposure, and age. Conclusion More professional health education should be promoted. Easy-accepting activities related to this topic should be performed through broadcasting or TV program. The hazards and the prevention way of osteoporosis should be learned by the elderly, so that they can face osteoporosis in a correct and positive attitude. |