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Abstract

Background and ObjectiveOsteoporosis-related knowledge and beliefs are important contributors to improving preventive behaviors. This study aimed to assess knowledge of osteoporosis symptoms, risk factors, and treatment availability in Muscat Governorate. MethodsThis cross-sectional study targeted 400 adult Omani women attending nine randomly selected primary healthcare centers in 2021. A validated 20-item Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT) was used. ResultsWhile most women had good knowledge of symptoms/fracture risk (53.9%) and preventive measures (39.8%), only 23.3% and 7.8% were well aware of risk factors and treatment availability, re-spectively. Based on their OKAT scores, 51.6% demonstrated a moderate level of osteoporosis-related knowledge nd overall knowledge (43.8% vs. 20.2-23.3%; P = 0.002). DiscussionTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to assess knowledge of osteoporosis in Oman. There were distinct gaps in knowledge, especially in terms of risk factors and treatment availability among the study group.