Incidence of Osteoporosis among the Elderly in a

Selected Barangay: Basis for a Lifestyle Modification Program

Kadelle D. Pidor, RN, MAN(084) 822-4182/ 0943-520-3816ACES Polytechnic CollegeTadeco Road, Panabo City

Purpose of the Study

In time of health issues, and concerns one should not over look the population that composed the community, the elderly. With age, a health issue comes in, and begin to affect the activity of daily living of the elderly. As a matter of fact, they are left behind in getting adequate care, information, and reinforcement from the family members, Barangay Health Centers and Hospitals due to lack of awareness.

At this time, osteoporosis is considered as significant public health problem were men, and women are seriously affected. Moreover, they do not recognize the seriousness of the disease due to lack of knowledge. As a silent disease, majority of them are not aware of the condition until it has worsened to the point that fracture occurred which is more alarming. It is along in this line, this study in osteoporosis among elderly: relation to socio-demographic profile is identified, and conceptualized.

The participants of the study were 79 elderly men, and women from Barangay San Francisco, Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

 Statement of the Problem

This research aimed to investigate the Incidence of osteoporosis among elderly men, and women of Barangay San Francisco, Panabo City for the year 2010. Specifically, it attempted to answer the following questions:

1. What is the socio-demographic profile of the elderly of barangay San Francisco in terms of:1..1 Gender,1.2 Previous Occupation,1.3 Family History,1.4 Medical History, and 1.5 Lifestyle?

1.5.1 Diet1.5.2 Exercise1.5.3 Personal Practices

2. What are the results of the Bone Mass Density test as to:2.1 Osteoporotic,2.2 Osteopenic, and2.3 Normal?

3. Is there a significant relationship between the incidence of osteoporosis, and the socio-demographic profile of the elderly residents of Barangay San Francisco as to:3.1 Gender,3.2 Previous Occupation,3.3 Family History,3.4 Medical History, and3.5 Lifestyle?

3.5.1 Diet3.5.2 Exercise3.5.3 Personal Practices

Methodology

The researcher used the descriptive research design with a questionnaire, and bone mass density test results from 79 elderly men and women as the primary instrument for data gathering.

Descriptive statistics, and chi-square were the methods employed in treating the gathered data.

ConclusionBased on the findings, the following

conclusions were drawn:1. Majority of the participants are female, most of the

previous work of the participants was domestic helpers, majority of the participants had a family history or a relative who had osteoporosis or posture problems, majority of the participants had a medical history of vertebral anomalies, majority of the participants have a food preference of mostly processed, and salty food, majority of the participants chose coffee for beverage, most of the participants had an inactive lifestyle, and majority of the personal practices of the participants is cigarette smoking.

2. The bone mass density test result showed that most of the participants are osteoporotic, especially women. Majority who are osteopenic are women participants, while majority of men participants have a normal bone mass density.

3. There is a significant relationship between the incidence of osteoporosis, and gender, medical history, diet preference (food & beverage), physical activity, and personal practices.

4. Women must undergo a regular bone density test to identify the risk for osteoporosis, and possible bone fractures. A finding of this study shows that both genders can acquire osteoporosis.

5. The elderly must visit a specialist on their vertebral anomalies to be properly evaluated, and to obtain further assessment and treatment since the study found out that most of the elderly participants have vertebral anomalies, and it is associated with vertebral compression related to osteoporosis,

6. The following must be modified by the elderly: limit high food intake of in sodium; avoid caffeinated beverages, perform regular exercise, and avoid cigarette smoking,

7. The proposed lifestyle modification program must be discussed with medical practitioners, and must be implemented with elderly in the cooperation of the family members to prevent bone loss, and enhance quality of life.

8. Topics for further studies: Create a patient-based research for developing,

and targeting new preventive strategies of osteoporosis,

Develop a risk-prediction models for osteoporotic fractures that will incorporate clinical risk factors, along with bone mineral density measurements,

Replication must be conduct in a wider, and varied scale in terms of populations and research locations to find other factors of variability, and

Study must include younger age with 40 years old people and above.

Proposed Lifestyle Modification Programme

for the Community

Subjects:Young people, adults and elderly residents in the community.

Budget:

Free c/o the Barangay Health Center.

Specific Objective

Content Time allotted

Strategy Person Responsible

Expected Outcome

At the end of the session, the

participant will be able to:

Identify the risk factors of the

disease

Risk factors:*Gender

*Age*Medical History of vertebral anomalies

*Lifestyle factors

1 hr*Discussion*Hand outs Registered

NurseThe

participants will be able to enumerate the

risk factors

Become familiar with diagnostic procedures to identify weak

bones & osteoporosis

Diagnosis:

*Candidate for Bone Density Testing

*Test used measuring bone density

1Hr *Discussion*Demonstration

Radiologist The participants will be able to familiarize the

diagnostic procedures

Reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis

Lifestyle changes

2 hrs*Discussion*Hand outs

Registered Nurse

The participants will be able to identify and

enumerate the changes in

lifestyle

for those who are 45 years old and above…clap your hands once!

…for those who are 35-44 years old… clap your hands twice!

….for those who are below 35 years old…..clap your hands many times!