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ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis and associated risk factors in Turkish women aged 18–49 years. A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2014. The sample (n = 1,792) was comprised of women aged 18–49 years, who resided in Cubuk, Ankara, Turkey, and were selected by simple random sampling. The data were collected in face-to-face interviews using an Individual Information Form and an Osteoporosis Risk Estimation Scale. Bone mineral density was assessed using standard dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Multiple logistic regression and chi-square analyses were used for analyses. Most participants (80.1%) were at low risk of developing osteoporosis, while 6.9% were at medium to high risk of developing the disease. From bone mineral density levels, 33.3% were osteopenic; 4.0% were osteoporotic; 33.3% were osteopenic at the femoral neck; and 6.7% were osteoporotic at the lumbar vertebra L1−L4. Further, results of multiple logistic regression analyses showed that osteoporosis risk was significantly associated with smoking, having light skin, multiparity, and having a family history of osteoporosis (p < .05). These results indicated that public health screening strategies for protecting women’s bone health at earlier ages than previously thought might be beneficial.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Ankara Cubuk Town Halil Sivgin Hospital staff for providing every kind of support in the realization of this research.
Funding
The study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) as a project. The project number was 113S277.