Awareness About the Risk Factors of Osteoarthritis Among Adult Population of Rawalpindi

Abstract

Objective: To assess awareness about risk factors of osteoarthritis among different groups of respondents according to their educational status. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Urban areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad Pakistan, from Mar to Aug 2015. Methodology: A cross sectional analysis was carried out amid 210 individuals ranging from 15-35 years from urban areas of Rawalpindi/Islamabad having education status above matriculation. A self-made questionnaire was used and SPSS version 22 was used for data analysis. Results: Study included a total, 76(36.2%) males and 134(63.8%) females. Statistically significant difference of responses were observed when respondents were asked about previous joint injuries (p<0.001), repetitive stress on a particular joint (p<0.001)), family history (p<0.001), congenital malformation of joints and cartilages (p=0.001), metabolic diseases like diabetes and gout (p=0.004) and vitamin D deficiency (p<0.001)whereas all groups of respondents according to education status were well aware about risk factors including increasing age (p=0.761), female gender (p=0.106),obesity (p=0.722), cold weather (p=0.0478) and calcium deficiency (p=0.299). Conclusion: People of higher level of education status were more aware about the risk factors of osteoarthritis as compared to those at lower levels.