Construction and validation of the Lebanese osteoporosis knowledge scale among a representative sample of lebanese women

Hallit, S.; Hage, C. El; Hajj, A.; Salameh, P.; Sacre, H.; Rahme, C.; Akel, M.; Dagher, E.

Affiliations

¹Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon

²INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie, Beirut, Lebanon

³Notre Dame des Secours Hospital University Hospital Center, Byblos City, Lebanon

⁴Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon

⁵Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacie Clinique et Contrôle de Qualité des Médicaments, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon

⁶Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon

⁷Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon

⁸Drug Information Center, Order of Pharmacists of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon

⁹Faculty of Science, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon

¹⁰School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract and keywords

Summary: Our study aimed at constructing and validating the Lebanese Osteoporosis Knowledge Scale adapted for use among Lebanese women and to assess factors associated with the poorest knowledge of osteoporosis definition, risk factors, and preventive measures. This scale showed adequate psychometric properties; higher knowledge scores were reached in women who already heard about the disease and had a formal education. As a result, the LOKS-19 can be used to measure knowledge of osteoporosis and help assess osteoporosis-related interventions.

Introduction: The primary objective of this study was to describe the construction of the Lebanese Osteoporosis Knowledge Scale (LOKS) and assess its psychometric properties in a representative sample of Lebanese women aged 40 years and above. Secondary objectives were to explore factors associated with this knowledge score.

Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out between March and June 2018, enrolled 560 women over the age of 40 years living in the community. This proportionate sample was randomly selected from all Lebanese governorates to cover the entire Lebanese area. A survey was developed and adapted to the Lebanese population based on preexisting scales. Personal interviews were conducted to collect data.

Results: The items of the LOKS were distributed across seven factors with an Eigenvalue over 1 solution, outlining an overall value of 55.89% of the variance. A high Cronbach’s alpha was found for the full scale (0.725). Individuals having a university level of education (beta = 1.62; compared to illiteracy), having heard of osteoporosis (beta = 2.62), taking supplements of calcium and vitamin D compared to none (beta = 0.77), and having had Crohn’s disease (beta = 1.71) had significantly higher knowledge scores of osteoporosis; oppositely, having diabetes (beta = − 1.17), currently taking chemotherapy (beta = − 2.25), and ever having had a fracture (beta = − 0.74) were significantly correlated with lower awareness of osteoporosis.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the LOKS-19 can be used to measure knowledge of osteoporosis and help assess osteoporosis-related interventions. A better knowledge seems to be associated with more preventive measures and less risk of fracture.

Keywords: Knowledge; Lebanon; Osteoporosis; Scale; Women

Links

DOI: 10.1007/s00198-019-05192-3

PubMed: 31696273

WoS: 000494771000002

History

Received: 2019-06-17

Accepted: 2019-10-07

Online: 2019-10-30

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