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Table 2 Affirmative responses regarding beliefs on Osteoporosis

From: A descriptive study of knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding osteoporosis among female medical school entrants in Sri Lanka

Perceived Susceptibility

Total (n = 186)

University of Colombo (n = 86)

University of Kelaniya (n = 100)

P value*

Chances of getting osteoporosis are high

26 (13.9)

15 (17.4)

11 (11.0)

0.20

We are more likely to get the disease

35 (18.8)

20 (23.3)

15 (15.0)

0.15

Family history makes us more likely to get osteoporosis

17 (9.1)

4 (4.7)

13 (13.0)

0.05

Perceptions, towards barriers to calcium intake

    

Eating calcium rich food is difficult

55 (29.5)

28 (32.6)

27 (27.0)

0.21

Calcium rich foods do not agree with us or we dislike calcium rich foods

14 (7.5)

5 (5.8)

9 (9.0)

0.41

Calcium rich foods are too expensive

15 (8)

5 (5.8)

10 (10.0)

0.30

Perceptions, towards benefits of calcium intake

    

Eating calcium rich foods reduces risks of broken bones

157 (84.4)

72 (83.7)

85 (85.0)

0.81

Eating calcium rich foods helps to build bones

131 (70.4)

57 (66.3)

74 (74.0)

0.25

Eating calcium rich foods prevents future problems from osteoporosis

153 (82.2)

71 (82.6)

82 (82.0)

0.92

Perceived seriousness of osteoporosis

Total (n = 186)

University of Colombo (n = 86)

University of Kelaniya (n = 100)

P value*

If we had osteoporosis it would change our whole life

100 (53.7)

50 (58.1)

50 (50.0)

0.27

Thought of osteoporosis scares us

102 (54.8)

50 (58.1)

52 (52.0)

0.40

Having osteoporosis would make daily activities more difficult

155 (83.3)

75 (87.2)

80 (80.0)

0.19

Health motivation towards osteoporosis

    

We are motivated frequently do things to improve our health

116 (62.3)

42 (48.8)

74 (74.0)

<0.01

We are motivated to eat a well-balanced diet

110 (59.1)

41 (47.7)

69 (69.0)

<0.01

Motivated to exercise regularly

41 (22)

12 (14)

29 (29.0)

0.01

  1. Data are presented as n (%).
  2. *The Pearson’s Chi-square test was performed.