A country-specific FRAX model for Botswana

Introduction Hip fracture rates in Botswana were used to create a FRAX® model for fracture risk assessment. Objective This paper describes the development and characteristics of a country-specific FRAX model for Botswana. Methods Age-specific and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture and national mortality rates was incorporated into a FRAX model for Botswana. Ten-year fracture probabilities were compared with those from African countries having a FRAX model and African Americans from the USA. Results The probabilities of hip fracture and major osteoporotic fracture were low compared with those from South Africa (Black and Coloured) and US Blacks. Probabilities were marginally higher than for Tunisia. Conclusion The creation of a FRAX model is expected to help guide decisions about the prevention and treatment of fragility fractures in Botswana.