Prevalence and Factors Associated with Osteoporosis in Khon Kaen University Female Staff

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional analytic study was to investigate the prevalence of
osteoporosis and the factors associated with the condition among the female staff working
at Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. The subjects were 355 female staff
aged 45 years old or more, and the study was conducted during the period 15, January,
2015, to 31, May 2015. Data about the general characteristics of the subjects were
collected by means of a questionnaire developed by the researcher, and bone mineral
density (BMD) was measured by quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) : using an Achilles InSight®
device. For a univariate analysis, factors associated with osteoporosis were analysed using
chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Simple and
multiple logistic regression was used to compute associations in the form of crude odds
ratios (ORs), adjusted ORs and 95%CIs.
The results showed that the prevalence rate of osteoporosis among Khon Kaen
University female staff was 5.1% (95%CI: 2.78-7.36). For the univariate analysis, the factors
associated with osteoporosis were single or married but not living together (OR=2.95, 95% CI:
1.12-7.82, p-value=0.023), a monthly income of 30,000 baht or more (OR=3.59, 95%CI: 1.01-
12.74, p-value= 0.036), breast feeding (OR=0.37, 95%CI: 0.14-0.97, p-value=0.036), and having
received a previous assessment of osteoporosis. (OR=5.78, 95%CI: 2.16-15.45, p-value= 0.001).
The multivariate analysis showed that the factors associated with osteoporosis
were single or married but not living together (OR=2.95, 95%CI: 1.08-8.00, p-value=0.034)
and having received a previous assessment of osteoporosis (OR=4.95, 95%CI: 1.74-14.09, pvalue=
0.003).
The findings indicate that certain personal characteristics are associated with
osteoporosis, but these associations are context-specific, and further in-depth studies are
needed for the purpose of health promotion and the prevention of osteoporosis and its
related health problems