Calcium Consumption for Osteoporosis Prevention: Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior in the Northeastern Region, Thailand
Pennapa Sriring PhD candidate*, Ines Krass PhD**, Tipaporn Kanjanarach PhD***,****
Affiliation : * Graduate School, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia *** Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand **** Center for Research and Development of Herbal Health Products, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : Identified Thai adults’ knowledge and attitudes towards calcium and determined factors predicting calcium
consumption.
Material and Method: One thousand four hundred seventy five Thai adults, aged ≥20 years old were interviewed, using a
semi-structured questionnaire. Knowledge about role of calcium and good sources of calcium was measured using
17 questions. Attitudes towards calcium were measured with 10 opinion statements, using 7-point Likert scale (1 = strongly
disagree to 7 = strongly agree). Calcium consumption, based on a 24-hour recall, was assessed using food frequency
checklists and open-ended questions.
Results : The median score for knowledge was 15 (IQR: 12, 16; total possible score: 17). The overall median of attitudinal
score was 5.6 (IQR: 4.9, 6.1; cronbach’s alpha = 0.80). Approximately 10.9% consumed adequate amounts of calcium
(800 mg/day).
Conclusion : Factors significantly determining the likelihood an adequate intake of calcium were age <35 years, support
from peers and taking calcium-supplements.
Keywords : Calcium, Calcium consumption, Knowledge of calcium, Attitude toward calcium, Osteoporosis prevention, Thai communities
