Speakers - 2026

Title: Status of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in rural communities of southeast Nigeria A cross sectional study

Abstract

Background and Rationale:

Osteoporosis is an under-diagnosed but increasingly burdensome condition among postmenopausal women globally, particularly in under-served and rural populations. In Nigeria, where healthcare infrastructure in rural areas remains limited, the risks associated with osteoporosis such as fractures, disability, and loss of independence, are compounded by sociocultural, economic, and educational barriers. This study addresses a critical gap by examining the prevalence and correlates of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in rural communities across the southeastern region of Nigeria, with a specific focus on knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2024 to May 2025 in ten purposefully selected rural communities across the five southeastern Nigerian states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit 587 eligible postmenopausal women (aged ≥51 years), following predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire ‘the Osteoporosis Prevalence, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Questionnaire (OPKAPQ)’ administered by trained community healthcare workers in participants’ homes. Due to resource constraints, osteoporosis diagnosis was based on WHO-endorsed self-reported indicators (e.g., history of low-impact fractures, chronic back pain, postural changes) rather than DEXA scans. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all participants.

Key Findings:

The prevalence of osteoporosis in the study population was very high at 68.0%, suggesting a major public health concern. While 63.4% of respondents expressed a positive attitude toward osteoporosis prevention, only 28.1% demonstrated adequate knowledge, and a mere 20.1% reported engaging in preventive behaviors such as calcium-rich diets or regular weight-bearing exercise. Statistically significant associations were found between osteoporosis and several demographic and lifestyle variables: Age ≥60 years, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and fracture history were positively associated with osteoporosis prevalence. Interestingly, women with fewer than five pregnancies showed higher rates of osteoporosis compared to those with higher parity, challenging assumptions related to reproductive history and bone health. No significant associations were found with education level, occupation, or religious affiliation.

Conclusion and Implications for Nursing Practice:

This study highlights an urgent need for targeted osteoporosis education, early detection initiatives, and community-level intervention programs, particularly in low-resource rural settings. Nurses and primary healthcare workers play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between rural populations and essential bone health services. Findings from this study underscore the importance of culturally sensitive, community-based nursing interventions to enhance osteoporosis knowledge, improve preventive practices, and ultimately reduce fracture risks among postmenopausal women in rural Nigeria. This research provides a strong case for policy advocacy and inclusion of osteoporosis screening and education into primary healthcare frameworks serving rural African women. Future studies should explore longitudinal patterns and integrate portable diagnostic technologies for more definitive case identification.)

Audience take away from your presentation?

Attendees of this presentation will gain the following key insights and tools:

1. Evidence-Based Understanding of Osteoporosis in Rural African Populations

The audience will understand the high prevalence of osteoporosis (68%) among postmenopausal women in rural southeastern Nigeria, supported by robust data from a large, community-based sample.

2. Application of Culturally and Contextually Adapted Diagnostic Tools

They will be introduced to a validated, resource-sensitive methodology for assessing osteoporosis without access to advanced diagnostic equipment like DEXA scans, highlighting how to apply self-reported clinical indicators effectively in low-resource settings.

3. Insights into Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) Gaps

The presentation will reveal critical gaps in knowledge and preventive practices, despite generally positive attitudes. This knowledge can inform the design of targeted health education and nursing interventions.

4. Identification of Key Risk Factors Linked to Osteoporosis

Attendees will learn about significant sociodemographic and behavioral predictors of osteoporosis in the study, including age, parity, alcohol use, tobacco use, and fracture history—offering practical indicators for screening and prevention in similar populations.

5. Scalable Community Health Research Design

The study design offers a replicable model for epidemiological research in rural or underrepresented communities, utilizing a multistage sampling strategy, community engagement, and trained local health workers.)

How the audience will be able to use what they learn?

Nursing and Public Health Practice:

Nurses, especially those in community and primary care settings, will be equipped to screen for and address osteoporosis risks using pragmatic tools tailored to rural populations. The findings can inform training, outreach programs, and home-based care protocols.

Teaching and Curriculum Development:

Academic faculty can incorporate this study into nursing and public health curricula to teach evidence-based community assessment, health promotion, and culturally responsive care strategies.

Policy and Program Development:

The study provides a basis for advocating for osteoporosis screening and prevention programs in underserved communities. Public health officials and program managers can leverage the results to justify resource allocation and community outreach.

Further Research Opportunities:

Researchers will find this study a valuable foundation for longitudinal or interventional studies, including the development of mobile diagnostic technologies, culturally tailored education modules, or evaluation of policy interventions in similar contexts.)

• How will this help the audience in their job? Is this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching? Does this provide a practical solution to a problem that could simplify or make a designer’s job more efficient? Will it improve the accuracy of a design, or provide new information to assist in a design problem? List all other benefits.

Benefits and Broader Implications

Improved Accuracy in Health Assessments:

By using structured exclusionary prompts and symptom-based diagnostics, the study enhances the accuracy of osteoporosis screening in environments where imaging is not feasible.

Simplification of Community Health Workflows:

The study’s methodology streamlines data collection and risk identification through standardized tools and local health worker integration—making it efficient and scalable.

Informing Design of Community-Based Health Solutions:

The results directly contribute to the design of preventive health strategies that are both evidence-informed and community-sensitive.

Empowering Nurses as Frontline Educators and Advocates:

Nurses can apply this knowledge to lead local education campaigns, promote healthy lifestyle changes, and advocate for routine osteoporosis screening in primary care.)