Osteoporosis Knowledge and Health Beliefs in African-American Men: Difference With Age

Abstract

ObjectiveOsteoporosis in men remains under-recognized and under-treated, yet fracture rate in men is at an alarming rate. Osteoporosis research in men is scanty and rarely involved African American (AA) men. Hence, the need to understand the level of osteoporosis knowledge (OK) and related health-beliefs in AA men, The purpose of this study was to investigate osteoporosis knowledge and health-beliefs (HB) in AA men, and if age impacts on these factors.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA cross-sectional study design was employed to gather data from men, age ≥18 years on OK and HB, with questionnaires administered online (via Qualtrics).Outcome Measures and AnalysisLevel of OK and HB was assessed with OK Test and HB questionnaire. Data were analyzed across four age groups of men (<35, 35-49, 50-64, ≥65 years). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and post-hoc tests were conducted to compare differences between age groups, OK, and HB subscales. statistical significance was set at p<0.05.ResultsA total of 138 AA men (41%= <35, 22%= 35-49, 25%=50-64 and 16% =>65 years) completed the surveys. Mean OK score was highest in adults 50-64 (12.23±4.71) and lowest in the 35-49 age group (11.03±4.50). ANOVA showed significant difference between the age groups for two HB subscales (Susceptibility and Exercise barriers).Conclusions and ImplicationsFindings showed overall limited OK and HB that do not promote bone health in the study participants. There is need to increase awareness using culturally appropriate strategies, particularly during the prime years, to reduce the burden in the later years and to promote successful aging in this population group.FundingNone ObjectiveOsteoporosis in men remains under-recognized and under-treated, yet fracture rate in men is at an alarming rate. Osteoporosis research in men is scanty and rarely involved African American (AA) men. Hence, the need to understand the level of osteoporosis knowledge (OK) and related health-beliefs in AA men, The purpose of this study was to investigate osteoporosis knowledge and health-beliefs (HB) in AA men, and if age impacts on these factors. Osteoporosis in men remains under-recognized and under-treated, yet fracture rate in men is at an alarming rate. Osteoporosis research in men is scanty and rarely involved African American (AA) men. Hence, the need to understand the level of osteoporosis knowledge (OK) and related health-beliefs in AA men, The purpose of this study was to investigate osteoporosis knowledge and health-beliefs (HB) in AA men, and if age impacts on these factors. Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA cross-sectional study design was employed to gather data from men, age ≥18 years on OK and HB, with questionnaires administered online (via Qualtrics). A cross-sectional study design was employed to gather data from men, age ≥18 years on OK and HB, with questionnaires administered online (via Qualtrics). Outcome Measures and AnalysisLevel of OK and HB was assessed with OK Test and HB questionnaire. Data were analyzed across four age groups of men (<35, 35-49, 50-64, ≥65 years). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and post-hoc tests were conducted to compare differences between age groups, OK, and HB subscales. statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Level of OK and HB was assessed with OK Test and HB questionnaire. Data were analyzed across four age groups of men (<35, 35-49, 50-64, ≥65 years). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and post-hoc tests were conducted to compare differences between age groups, OK, and HB subscales. statistical significance was set at p<0.05. ResultsA total of 138 AA men (41%= <35, 22%= 35-49, 25%=50-64 and 16% =>65 years) completed the surveys. Mean OK score was highest in adults 50-64 (12.23±4.71) and lowest in the 35-49 age group (11.03±4.50). ANOVA showed significant difference between the age groups for two HB subscales (Susceptibility and Exercise barriers). A total of 138 AA men (41%= <35, 22%= 35-49, 25%=50-64 and 16% =>65 years) completed the surveys. Mean OK score was highest in adults 50-64 (12.23±4.71) and lowest in the 35-49 age group (11.03±4.50). ANOVA showed significant difference between the age groups for two HB subscales (Susceptibility and Exercise barriers). Conclusions and ImplicationsFindings showed overall limited OK and HB that do not promote bone health in the study participants. There is need to increase awareness using culturally appropriate strategies, particularly during the prime years, to reduce the burden in the later years and to promote successful aging in this population group. Findings showed overall limited OK and HB that do not promote bone health in the study participants. There is need to increase awareness using culturally appropriate strategies, particularly during the prime years, to reduce the burden in the later years and to promote successful aging in this population group.