Objective   To investigate the baseline of the know ledge and the prevalence of osteoporosis(OP)in mid-aged and elderly population(50-70 y ears old)for future interventions in the community.

  Methods   Acmmunity-based sampling survey and face toface interview were ado pted.

  Results   The prevalence rate of OP among subjects was 10%, which increased with age.The rate of OP among women was higher than that of the men.The fracture rate amongthe OP patients was 35%.The average score of OP is(68.89±19.30).20% men and 34% women were aware that they were susceptible to OP.Logistic regression analysis suggested that the related factors of the score of OP know ledge included sex, age, suffering status of OP, reading, watching TV or movies and physical work.59% of the subjects intended to get the prevention and control knowledge of OP.The higher the score of OP knowledge was, the more positive the attitude and behavior were.

  Conclusion   The prevalence rate of OP is high among mid-aged and elderly population who don't fully understood the hazard of OP.Its very essential and important to promote the health intervention to prevent and control the OP in the community.