PATIENT AWARENESS IN RECOGNITION AND TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporoza je opredeljena kot bolezen okostja, za katero je značilna zmanjšana trdnost kosti in posledično povečano tveganje za zlome. Je najbolj razširjena presnovna kostna bolezen in postaja eden glavnih svetovnih zdravstvenih in socialno-ekonomskih problemov. Medicinska sestra ima veliko in pomembno nalogo pri osveščanju in informiranju žensk na vseh treh nivojih zdravstvenega varstva. Namen diplomskega dela je opredeliti ter predstaviti zdravljenje in preprečevanje osteoporoze pri ženskah, ter z raziskavo ugotoviti osveščenost žensk pri prepoznavanju in zdravljenju osteoporoze. Uporabili smo kvantitativno metodologijo in deskriptivno metodo dela. Podatke za raziskovalni del diplomskega dela smo zbrali s pomočjo anonimne ankete z vprašanji zaprtega in odprtega tipa. Vprašanja za prepoznavanje osveščenosti žensk glede zdravljenja in preprečevanja osteoporoze smo povzeli in priredili na podlagi vprašalnika FOOQ (Facts on Osteoporosis Quiz) avtorice Ailingerjeve s sodelavci. Rezultati raziskave so pokazali srednjo osveščenost žensk o osteoporozi. Dosežena povprečna ocena znanja v naši raziskavi pa je znašala 47,3 %. Največ informacij o osteoporozi so anketiranke dobile iz medijev, dobra tretjina (28,3 %) je dobila te informacije od osebnega zdravnika. Le 2,7 % vseh vprašanih anketirank je dobilo informacije o osteoporozi od medicinske sestre. Osveščenost žensk o osteoporozi ni zadostna in v prihodnje bo potrebno dati veliko poudarka zdravstveno vzgojnemu delu in promociji zdravja. Številne ženske nimajo jasnega razumevanja in znanje, ki ga imajo o osteoporozi nasploh ni povezano z njihovim vedenjem in življenjskim slogom. Z zdravim načinom življenja lahko vplivamo na največjo doseženo kostno maso, upočasnimo upadanje s starostjo ter na ta način preprečimo pojav bolezni. Ženske, ki so bolje informirane in poučene, se bolj zanimajo za svoje zdravje in jim ni vseeno za zdravje. Osveščenost žensk je nujna in je dobra popotnica za ohranitev zdravja. S tem se zagotavlja boljša kakovost življenja.Osteoporosis is a bone disease that is characterized by a decrease in bone hardness and as such can lead to an increased risk of fracture. It is the most widespread metabolic bone disease and is becoming one of the major global health and socio-economic problems. The health nurse has a major and substantial role in raising the awareness and informing women at all three levels of health protection. The purpose of the diploma thesis is to describe and present the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in women, and based on research to establish the awareness of women in recognizing and treating osteoporosis. We have used quantitative methodology and descriptive work method. The data for the research part of the diploma thesis was collected by means of an anonymous questionnaire using closed and open-type questions. The questions for identifying women\u27s awareness with respect to the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis were derived from the FOOQ (Facts on Osteoporosis Quiz) questionnaire by the author Ailinger and co-authors. Results of the research have shown that women have average knowledge of osteoporosis. The mean score achieved in our research was 47,3 %. Respondents got the majority of information on osteoporosis from media, one third, i.e. 28,3 % obtained information from their personal physician. Only 2,7 % of all respondents obtained information on osteoporosis from health nurses. Knowledge of women of osteoporosis is insufficient, therefore a lot of work needs to be done in future in the area of health education and health promotion. Numerous women have no clear understanding, and the knowledge they have of osteoporosis is in no way related to their behaviour and lifestyle. With a healthy lifestyle we can influence the maximum bone mass, slow down its age-related decrease, and thus prevent the occurrence of the disease. Women that are better informed and know more about the disease have a bigger interest in their health. Awareness of women is of huge importance and is a great incentive for maintaining health. This will ensure better quality of life