INTRODUCTION Singapore has one of the world’s most rapidly ageing populations. Osteoporosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality from hip fractures in the elderly. This pilot study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of osteoporosis among Singaporean women aged ≥ 65 years, and assess barriers to osteoporosis screening. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 99 English-speaking women aged ≥ 65 years at two SingHealth polyclinics by convenience sampling. The validated Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Tool was used to assess their knowledge about osteoporosis prevention and awareness and perceived barriers to osteoporosis screening. Osteoporosis health education was provided, and bone mineral density (BMD) screening was offered to all participants. RESULTS The response rate was 91.6%. The majority of the participants (54.5%) had low knowledge of osteoporosis, and only 12.1% had high knowledge scores. Higher education levels were associated with higher knowledge scores (p = 0.018). Although participants with higher knowledge scores were more willing to undergo osteoporosis screening, these findings did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.067). The top reasons for declining BMD testing were misconceptions that lifestyle management is sufficient to prevent osteoporosis, poor awareness and knowledge of the disease, and the perceived high cost of BMD testing. CONCLUSION Interventions should focus on osteoporosis education and, eventually, BMD screening for less-educated patients. Health education should rectify common misconceptions of the disease, increase awareness of osteoporosis and improve screening rates.

Early childhood is a phase of rapid development during which children develop motor skills, language and social skills. They learn to regulate emotions and, to some extent, control their behaviour. These skills help the children function in different settings. It is not uncommon for behavioural problems to emerge during this period, as children are trying to make sense of the world, assert their independence and adjust to various transitions such as making new friends or starting school. Behavioural problems in children can be divided into externalising problems such as aggression, oppositional behaviour and hyperactivity, and internalising problems such as anxiety and depression. (1) Internalising problems are more likely to be picked up by parents, whereas externalising problems may be identified by parents or teachers. (2) In contrast to their Australian and American counterparts, who demonstrate an equal or greater number of externalising problems compared to internalising problems, (1,3) children in Singapore tend to demonstrate more internalising problems. (2)

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Introduction: Obesity is thought to be a negative predictor of sexual function, but the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sexual function has been inconsistent. Other factors such as body image and self-esteem may mediate this relationship. This study examined the association of BMI, body image and self-esteem with sexual function in young women. Method: A total of 514 sexually active women aged 21 to 35 years completed an anonymised online questionnaire that used 3 scales to assess body image, self-esteem and female sexual function: Body Image States Scale (BISS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Higher scores for BISS, RSES and FSFI indicate more positive body image, higher self-esteem and better sexual function, respectively. Spearman correlation assessed the association among BMI, BISS and RSES scores, and with FSFI scores. Linear and multivariable logistic regression identified risk factors associated with sexual dysfunction (FSFI <26.55). Results: BISS and RSES scores significantly correlated with FSFI scores (r=0.27 and r=0.32, respectively; both P<0.001), indicating that better body image and self-esteem were associated with better sexual function. Risk factors for sexual dysfunction were lower BISS and RSES scores, being married (odds ratio [OR] 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–2.15), having 1 child (OR 2.45; 95% CI 1.26–4.77) and having a perceived mental condition (OR 3.02; 95% CI 1.44–6.33). Factors in lack of sexual dysfunction include being of Malay ethnicity (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.21–0.71) and being overweight (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.27–0.78). Conclusion: Women with poorer body image and lower self-esteem were more likely to have sexual dysfunction. These perceptions and states did not correlate with being overweight, and were better predictors over BMI to identify the population at-risk. Keywords: Female sexual function, obstetrics and gynaecology, sexual health