Calcium consumption for osteoporosis prevention: knowledge, attitudes and behavior in the northeastern region, 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