A cross-sectional study to screen community health volunteers for hip/knee-osteoarthritis and osteoporosis

Context: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease mainly affecting hip and knee joints, and osteoporosis is characterized by diminution of bone mass. Both these diseases have a substantial economic impact on society. Community health volunteers (CHVs) being peripheral health workers are prone to such diseases owing to their sociodemographic and occupational profile. Aim: This study was conducted to estimate the proportion of hip/knee OA and osteoporosis among CHVs and understand determinants of their current bone health status. Materials and Methods: Screening for OA was done using a tool adopted from a previous study after obtaining due permissions. Weight, height, blood pressure, and bone mineral density of all participants were recorded. Statistical tests such as Chi-square and multiple logistic regression were used for analysis of data. Results: Out of 80 participants, 50 (62.5%) had increased body mass index (overweight + obese), 10 (12.5%) were hypertensive, 14 (17.5%) CHVs screened positive for hip OA, and 29 (36.3%) were positive for knee OA. Hip OA was associated with advancing age, parity, and obesity. Knee OA was associated with age and exercise. In total, 16.3% subjects were found to have osteoporosis and 61.2% had osteopenia. Conclusions: This study showed that a remarkable proportion of CHVs had bone and joint problems. CHVs must, therefore, receive preventive measures such as health education and screening for these diseases.