Exploring Risk Factors for Osteoporosis from Kurdish-Iranian Women’s Perceptions

Aim: By understanding women’s perceptions of the risk factors for osteoporosis, improved preventive programs can be designed to modify misconceptions and improve understanding of the condition. This study aimed to explore Kurdish-Iranian women’s perceptions of the risk factors for osteoporosis. Methods: Sixteen women with osteoporosis referred to osteoporosis screening units at the private and governmental centers were interviewed through purposeful sampling between January and July 2015. Inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of osteoporosis for at least six months, T-score below -2.5, age 50 years and over, and ability to attend and participate in the study. All focus groups and face-to-face semi-structured interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. To confirm precision of the data, the following criteria were employed: credibility, conformability, dependability and transformability. Findings: Overall, the perceived risk factors were broadly classified into non-modifiable and modifiable factors. Non-modifiable factors included the sub-themes of genetic factors and hormonal changes. Modifiable factors comprised the sub-themes of limited legal and administrative systems, cultural-environmental and socio-economic factors, lack of understanding the disease and its treatment, and poor health priorities. Conclusion: The risk factors for osteoporosis from women's perceptions can be classified into non-modifiable and modifiable factors. These results can be useful to design a gender-specific risk assessment tool and develop strategies and intervention programs for preventing osteoporosis in women.