A Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Risk Factors of Osteoarthritis among Patients Attending Outpatient Department in Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA), Alahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Musculoskeletal diseases are the major health issues which will cause functional disabilities in the adult and geriatric population. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a problem of breakdown of cartilage of joint and also the bones. Osteoarthritis is the most common worldwide arthritic condition. There were 85% of individuals over the age of 75 suffering with the disease and also 40% of the people experience difficulty with daily living. Aim: To assess the knowledge of risk factors regarding osteoarthritis among patients. Methods: A descriptive cross - sectional study was carried out among 185 patients attending OPD in ministry of National Guard health Affairs Al Ahsa, kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Samples were selected from August to September 2019. Systematic random sampling was done. The data was collected after obtaining consent from all subjects. Information related to demographic variables was collected using self - administered questionnaire with 30 items inclusive of 6 components such as risk factors, signs and symptoms, management, prevention and disabilities and also the diet to find out the knowledge of risk factors of osteoarthritis among patients. SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Results: Data analyzed reveals that majority 57.3% of the patients with the age group of 50 - 60 years. In regard to gender 51.9% of patients were females.97.3% of the patients were admitted in the medical ward; among them 78.9% of them was studied in secondary school.84.9% of patients belongs to Saudi citizens.44.3% of patients were doing some professional works. There were 67% of patients having the problems of diabetes and hypertension. Mostly 78.9% of patients revealed that they are having the family history of arthritis. With regard to smoking habits 51.3% of patients not having the smoking history. The study report shows that 59.5% of patients had good knowledge regarding risk factors of osteoarthritis, 16.2% of patients had average knowledge and 24.3% had poor knowledge. Conclusion: The study result shows that most of the patients have good knowledge about the risk factors of osteoarthritis that indicates the patients were awareness about the disease. Only the patients had the primary education needs to be educated regarding the risk factors of osteoarthritis.