General Awareness Regarding Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Scan and Osteoporosis in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Osteoporosis is a common skeletal disorder that is characterized by low bone density and results in fragility and osteoporotic fractures; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans play a significant role in the assessment of persons at risk of osteoporosis. Knowledge and awareness about osteoporosis and the DEXA scan is crucial in promoting early detection and prevention of osteoporosis among the general population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our study aimed to assess the knowledge of Saudis regarding the benefits of screening for osteoporosis for early detection of abnormal bony features related to osteoporosis using the DEXA scan scoring system and prevention of osteoporotic fractures. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was utilized in this research, employing data from a sample of 391 participants from the general population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The participants completed self-administered online-based questionnaires with ensured anonymity. The questionnaire and the values used in this study had been previously validated. Results The sample for the current study primarily consisted of participants aged between 18-30 years (195, 49.9%) with a predominance of females (305, 78.0%). More than half (214, 54.7%) were non-employed, and the majority (188, 48.1%) of them were earning a monthly income of less than 5000 Riyals. Of the women participants, the majority (152, 49.8%) had more than one pregnancy, with more than half (166, 54.4%) having breastfed their children for more than six months. The study results revealed that 149 (38.1%) had a good knowledge level, while 242 (61.9%) had poor knowledge about osteoporosis screening. The results established a statistically significant association between age, gender, and occupation (p = 0.004, p = 0.002, and p = 0.001, respectively) with the level of knowledge about osteoporosis. There was no statistically significant association between region, monthly income in Riyal, number of pregnancies among women, children breastfed for more than six months and the level of knowledge about osteoporosis, with p>0.05. Conclusion The study revealed a considerably below-average level of knowledge about osteoporosis screening among the adult population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The knowledge about osteoporosis was found to increase with the increase in age, female participants and participants working in the medical field. The study found limited knowledge about DEXA scan and its ability to prevent osteoporotic fractures with serious concerns about its frequency of performing the procedure under normal and low bone mineral density. There is a need for collective efforts by the medical community to increase public awareness about osteoporosis and the use of DEXA scans in preventing osteoporotic fractures among the general population in Saudi Arabia.