Calcium intake, preventive behavior, and osteoporosis knowledge in the female hospital employee in Central Taiwan.

• Main Authors: Hui-Min, 謝惠敏
• Other Authors: Han-Hsun Chang
• Format: Others
• Published: 2006
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/81066955242824417373

碩士 === 中山醫學大學 === 營養學研究所 === 94 === Osteoporosis, a major public health problem, is becoming increasingly prevalent with the aging of the world population. Numerous studies have found clear associations between several health behaviors and a decreases risk of osteoporosis. Prevention of osteoporosis plays a very important role in management of the disease, and may slow its rate of development or onset. Health-care professionals are responsible for taking care of patients, educating patients, and preventing disease. If they have more osteoporosis knowledge and preventive behavior is our question. The aim of our study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude of osteoporosis, calcium intake and preventive behavior in female health-care professional employees of Central Taiwan hospital, and compare with the official female employees of Central Taiwan hospital. A cross-sectional study in 500 female employees of a Central Taiwan hospital, free of medications known to affected bone was carried out. Osteoporosis preventive behavior, knowledge and attitude of osteoporosis were collected. Dietary intake, including supplements, was assessed by 24-hour dietary recall and semi-quantification frequent questionnaire. Bone mineral density was measured by quantitative Ultrasound measurement. Average calcium intakes were 456.26±218.45mg and 482.81±232.18mg for health-care professional and official female employees, respectively（Table 4）. There is significant difference in osteoporosis knowledge but no significant difference in the calcium intake and physical activity between health-care professional and official female employees. Age and professional can predict the T score (<-1) and knowledge respectively. The results suggest we should provide continuous education and update information for health-care professional. And a good strategy for changing of prevention behavior should be set to improve health-care professional behavior.