A cross-sectional study on the knowledge of knee osteoarthritis and attitude towards prevention of knee osteoarthritis in young adults

Lim, Shi Qi (2024) A cross-sectional study on the knowledge of knee osteoarthritis and attitude towards prevention of knee osteoarthritis in young adults. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

Background and Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a cartilage degenerative condition that causes the joints to deteriorate, and it can attack younger individuals (mostly athletes or with joint trauma). Knee OA led to various issues and compared to the younger population, the seniors have substantially more awareness and knowledge of knee OA. This study aims to determine the knee OA knowledge level and the attitude toward knee OA prevention in young adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 380 young adults aged from 17 to 28 years old. An online survey using the Knee Osteoarthritis Knowledge Scale (Knee OAKS) by Darlow et al. (2023) and two modified questionnaires of knowledge and attitude towards knee OA prevention. Results: The number of 380 young participants with 53.7% female and 46.3% male, the majority from the 21-24 age group. Gender analyse with Mann-Whitney test and other variables analyse with Kruskall-Wallis test. Gender showed a significant difference in Knee OAKS (p = 0.008). No relationship was found between race (p = 0.175), educational levels (p = 0.176), and family income levels (p= 0.966) with Knee OAKS respectively. The gender (Z = -0.593, p = 0.553), race (p = 0.968), educational levels (0.170), and family income level (0.207) show no significant association with knee OA prevention knowledge. There is no relationship between Knee OAKS and each item from attitudes towards knee OA prevention questionnaire (p = 0.722; p = 0.931; p = 0.956; p = 0.475; p = 0.353; p = 0.897; p = 0.404) with Kruskall-Wallis test. Conclusion: This study highlights that gender significantly impacts knowledge of knee OA. Race, educational level, and family income showed no significant influence on knowledge or attitudes toward knee OA prevention. Knowledge alone does not significantly influence attitudes toward knee OA prevention, underscoring the need to address both factors independently. Keywords: Knee Osteoarthritis, Young adults, Knowledge, Attitude

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