Osteoporosis Prevention Programs Research Articles

Prevalence and patterns of bone mineral density disorders among women in Buraidah, KSA

ObjectivesBone mineral density (BMD) disorders are disorders of bone mineralization in which bone density is reduced (T score <−1). BMD causes health and social burdens on individuals and communities. This study estimated the prevalence and determined the patterns of BMD disorders among women in Buraidah, KSA. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 342 women visiting the DEXA Scanning Center in Buraidah. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan was used to measure the BMD, and cutoffs were defined based on World Health Organization criteria: normal = T score >−1, osteopenia = T score <−1 to >−2.5, and osteoporosis = T score ≤−2.5. Sociodemographic and health-related data were collected. Logistic regression was used to measure the association of various participant characteristics with BMD disorders. ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 61.2 ± 7.54 years. The overall prevalence of BMD disorders was 76%, of whom 42% had osteopenia, 24% had both osteoporosis and osteopenia, and 10% had osteoporosis. Body mass index, menopause, hypertension, oral hypoglycemics, and calcium supplementation were significant predictors of BMD disorders. ConclusionsThe high prevalence of BMD disorders among women in KSA necessitates establishing and strengthening osteoporosis prevention programs to ensure healthy aging among women in KSA. Large-scale community-based studies are needed to accurately estimate the burden and risk factors of BMD disorders in the community.

Engagement in Primary Prevention Program among Rural Veterans With Osteoporosis Risk.

ABSTRACTA primary osteoporosis prevention program using a virtual bone health team (BHT) was implemented to comanage the care of rural veterans in the Mountain West region of the United States. The BHT identified, screened, and treated rural veterans at risk for osteoporosis using telephone and United States Postal Service communications. Eligibility was determined by regular use of Veterans Health Administration primary care, age 50 or older, and evidence of fracture risk. This study was conducted to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with the acceptance of osteoporosis screening and the initiation of medication where indicated. A cross‐sectional cohort design (N = 6985) was utilized with a generalized estimating equation and logit link function to account for facility‐level clustering. Fully saturated and reduced models were fitted using backward selection. Less than a quarter of eligible veterans enrolled in BHT's program and completed screening. Factors associated with a lower likelihood of clinic enrollment included being of older age, unmarried, greater distance from VHA services, having a copayment, prior fracture, or history of rheumatoid arthritis. A majority of veterans with treatment indication started medication therapy (N = 453). In this subpopulation, Fisher's exact test showed a significant association between osteoporosis treatment uptake and a history of two or more falls in the prior year, self‐reported parental history of fracture, current smoking, and weight‐bearing exercise. The BHT was designed to reduce barriers to screening; however, for this population cost and travel continue to limit engagement. The remarkable rate of medication initiation notwithstanding, low enrollment reduces the impact of this primary prevention program, and findings pertaining to fracture, smoking, and exercise imply that health beliefs are an important contributing factor. Efforts to identify and address barriers to osteoporosis screening and treatment, such as clinical factors, social determinants of health, and health beliefs, may pave the way for effective implementation of population bone health care delivery systems. Published 2022. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

A preliminary study on the effects of an osteoporosis prevention program based on an Information-Motivation-Behavioral skill model in older adult women: A cluster randomized controlled trial

We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effects of an osteoporosis prevention program using the Information-Motivation-Behavioral skill (IMB) model in older adult women in this preliminary study. Korean women ≥65 years were randomly assigned to control (N=21) and intervention (N=23) groups. The intervention group participated in an IMB model-based, 12-week osteoporosis prevention program. The primary outcome was osteoporosis prevention behavior over time in both groups directly before, immediately after (post-test 1), and 4 weeks after (post-test 2) the intervention. Participants had a higher retention and attendance rate for the intervention, and the osteoporosis prevention behavior of the intervention group at post-test 1 and post-test 2 had significantly improved. The program based on the IMB model may be a feasible and effective intervention for osteoporosis prevention behavior in older adult women.

Effects of non-supervised exercise interventions on bone mineral density in adult women: a systematic review and meta‑analysis.

Mini abstractOsteoporosis is a major health issue worldwide. This study analyzes the effects of non-supervised osteoporosis prevention programs on bone mineral density. Non-supervised exercise increases femoral neck and lumbar spine bone mineral density in adult women. Thus, it might be effective for preventing or treating osteoporosis or osteopenia in this population.IntroductionOsteoporosis is a major health issue worldwide. Social distancing measures due to COVID-19 have hindered the chances to take part in supervised osteoporosis prevention exercise programs. The purpose of the present study is to systematically review and meta-analyze the effects of non-supervised osteoporosis prevention exercise programs on bone mineral density (BMD) in adult women.MethodsA comprehensive search of electronic databases (n = 7) was conducted including (a) prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing at least one exercise group vs. a control group with sedentary lifestyle or sham exercises; (b) baseline and follow-up BMD values, or BMD changes from baseline, at any skeletal site; (c) women over 30 years old; and (d) non-supervised exercise programs only. Subgroup analyses were performed for menopausal status, intervention duration, type of exercise, and osteopenia/osteoporosis status.ResultsTen studies were included (n = 668). Random effect analyses showed that unsupervised exercise had beneficial effects on lumbar spine (LS) BMD with standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.40 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03–0.77), and femoral neck (FN) BMD with SMD = 0.51 (95% CI: 0.16–0.85). Unsupervised exercise increased LS (SMD = 0.73 (95% CI: 0.13–1.33)) and FN BMD (SMD = 0.85 (95% CI: 0.33–1.37)) in women with osteopenia/osteoporosis, but not in healthy counterparts.ConclusionNon-supervised exercise improves FN and LS BMD in adult women. Beneficial effects of exercise on FN and LS BMD might be more pronounced in those with poor bone health compared with healthy counterparts. More RCTs prescribing non-supervised, osteogenic exercise are required in this population. It is necessary to investigate the efficacy of remote/assistive technologies for delivering and monitoring non-supervised exercise interventions.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00198-022-06357-3.

Influencia de la localización del acelerómetro para cuantificar la actividad física en programas para la prevención de osteoporosis

Objetivo: La actividad física tiene efectos positivos sobre la salud ósea. Para desarrollar programas de prevención de la osteoporosis basados en actividad física, la intensidad de la misma debe cuantificarse con precisión con el fin de garantizar su efectividad así como la integridad esquelética del individuo. El objetivo ha sido evaluar la influencia de la localización del acelerómetro para cuantificar la intensidad de la actividad física en programas para la prevención de osteoporosis.&#x0D; Método: Dieciocho mujeres premenopáusicas completaron un protocolo de ejercicio compuesto por cinco saltos con contramovimiento y cuatro series en tapiz rodante a distintas velocidades. Las participantes portaron acelerómetros situados en muñeca y cadera, y se compararon las medidas de aceleración registradas en ambas localizaciones. Se realizaron tres tipos de análisis: 1) Asociación entre mediciones de ambas localizaciones. 2) Nivel de similitud en las estimaciones grupales. 3) Evaluación del sesgo de medición.&#x0D; Resultados: Baja correlación entre medidas de aceleración registradas en muñeca y cadera en todas las pruebas de protocolo (r= 0.046-0.469, p&lt;0.05). Las diferencias entre las estimaciones grupales y el sesgo de medición aumentan a medida que se incrementa la velocidad en el tapiz rodante.&#x0D; Conclusiones: La aceleración medida en la muñeca podría sobreestimar la aceleración realmente producida en la cadera. Este efecto debe tenerse en cuenta a la hora de cuantificar la carga en programas de actividad física para la prevención de la osteoporosis.

Gender-based differences in cognitive needs of Iranian rural health workers to perform osteoporosis prevention educational programs: an application of health belief model

ABSTRACT Rural health workers play a detrimental role in implementing rural osteoporosis prevention programs. To successfully implement such programs, addressing their gender-based cognitive needs seems to be necessary. Our aim in the present study was to investigate gender-based differences in determinants of educating rural communities on osteoporosis prevention among Iranian rural health workers (RHWs) applying the health belief model (HBM). In this cross-sectional study, conducted in 2017, 280 RHWs were recruited to participate in the study, through random sampling. An HBM-based researcher-made questionnaire was developed to collect data. Face, content, construct and convergent validity and reliability of the scales were approved. After splitting data by gender, hierarchical linear regression was used to investigate the predictors of RHWs’ performance on osteoporosis prevention education programs (OPEPs). In Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), the measurement model was found to be with a good fit to the data in the assumed model (χ2 [466] = 999.466, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.921, NFI = 0.821, TLI = 0.913, RMSEA = 0.048[0.043–0.054]). Among male RHWs, perceived barriers (p < 0.01), knowledge (p < 0.05) and the mean distance of health house from the marginal villages (p < 0.05) were significant predictors of the RHWs’ performance on OPEPs (cumulative adjusted R2 = 0.790). Among female RHWs, perceived barriers (p < 0.01), self-efficacy (p < 0.05) and cues to action (p < 0.05) were significant predictors of the outcome variable (cumulative adjusted R2 = 0.404). The findings of the present study are informative for the development of targeted interventions aimed at fostering RHWs’ performance on OPEPs.

Validation of a Wearable Accelerometer-Based Activity Monitor for Use in Future Osteoporosis Prevention Programs

Osteoporosis is considered a major public health problem worldwide. In order to develop effective physical exercise protocols for the prevention of osteoporosis and ensure skeletal integrity, the intensity of the exercise must be quantified objectively and accurately. This study aimed to assess the validity of a wearable accelerometer-based activity monitor for use in osteoporosis prevention programs. Eighteen premenopausal women completed an exercise protocol consisting of five countermovement jumps followed by four treadmill bouts at different speeds. Participants carried two pairs of accelerometers (Muvone® and ActiGraph GT3X+) located on the wrist and hip. Three types of analysis were performed: (1) association between measurements from both devices; (2) level of similarity in group estimates; and (3) evaluation of measurement bias. High to almost perfect correlations between the peak acceleration measured by both devices were found in all protocol tests (r = 0.607–0.975, p &lt; 0.001). Differences in group estimates were non-significant and measurement bias between devices was below 6%. In conclusion, the validity of Muvone® to quantify acceleration has been tested at both the wrist and hip and could be used to assess mechanical loading during physical activities for the implementation of population-wide osteoporosis prevention programs.

ANALISIS FAKTOR YANG MEMENGARUHI OSTEOPOROSIS PADA IBU MENOPAUSE DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS STABAT KABUPATEN LANGKAT TAHUN 2019

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Osteoporosis is a condition or disease in which bones become fragile and easily cracked or broken. Based on medical record data obtained in 2015, 106 cases of osteoporosis were found in menopausal and elderly women. This study aims to determine and analyze the effects of age, physical activity, smoking, family history, history of fractures on osteoporosis in menopausal mothers.&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;The method used was the &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;m&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;ix &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;m&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;ethods research method with a &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;s&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;equential Explanatory research model with a quantitative sample of 87 respondents and informants on a qualitative approach that was 10 menopausal women and health workers. Data collection techniques using questionnaires and research interview instruments. Data analysis was a multivariate analysis using the binary logistic test.&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;The results indicated that there was an effect between age from the results of statistical tests of .044 &amp;lt;.05, physical activity of .012 &amp;lt;.05, family history of .014 &amp;lt;.05 and history of fracture of .035 &amp;lt;.05, the smoking variable of .223 &amp;gt; .05. The most dominant variable has an influence that was the family history variable with an OR value of 36.869.&lt;/em&gt; &lt;em&gt;The conclusion shows that there is an influence between the age of physical activity, family history and history of fractures on osteoporosis in menopausal women but the smoking variable has no effect on osteoporosis in menopausal mothers. It is hoped that this research can be an input for health centers in managing osteoporosis and can improve the management of osteoporosis prevention programs with health promotion efforts.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Keywords:&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; Osteoporosis, Age, Physical Activity, Smoking, Family History, Fracture History&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;

Osteoporosis Knowledge and Health Beliefs Among Female Community Leaders in Peru.

Background: Osteoporosis presents an increasing problem globally, primarily affecting older adults and postmenopausal women. Among important modifiable risk factors for osteoporosis, physical activity and calcium intake help reduce bone mineral loss and decrease the prevalence of osteoporosis. Although osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs are associated with adopting preventive behavior and screening rates, few studies have evaluated them in Latin American populations.Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among female community leaders in a Peruvian periurban setting. A total of 60 women participated in the study, with a mean age of 43.7 ± 8.3 years, mean body mass index of 30.4 ± 5.3 kg/m2, 88% being overweight or obese, and 58.3% having completed high school education or beyond. Participants completed translated and culturally adapted Osteoporosis Knowledge Test and Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale via semistructured interviews.Results: Most participants reported high knowledge regarding osteoporosis, perceived benefits to exercise and calcium intake, and health motivation. The level of osteoporosis knowledge was highly associated with the level of education, and we found a trend for the association between level of knowledge and perceived benefits of exercise and barriers to calcium intake among participants.Conclusions: Female community leaders with high health motivation and community engagement can contribute enormously to osteoporosis prevention programs in local communities in the future.

Levels of Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Regarding Osteoporosis and the Associations with Bone Mineral Density among Populations More Than 40 Years Old in Malaysia.

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder commonly found among the elderly, in which the bones become weak, brittle, and more susceptible to fracture. Adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards the disease and osteoprotective activities may prevent osteoporosis, but comprehensive studies to verify this hypothesis are limited in Malaysia. This study aims to bridge the research gap by determining the levels of knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding osteoporosis and their associations with bone mineral density (BMD) among men and women ≥ 40 years in Klang Valley, Malaysia. In this cross-sectional study, 786 Malaysians (382 men, 404 women) completed a questionnaire on knowledge, beliefs, and osteoprotective practices, and underwent BMD scan using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device. The current study found moderate levels of knowledge and beliefs regarding osteoporosis but poor osteoprotective practices. Osteoporosis knowledge, beliefs, and practices were significantly different based on subjects’ demographic characteristics (p < 0.05). Osteoporosis knowledge and beliefs were correlated significantly with osteoprotective practices (p < 0.05). Bone health status of the subjects was associated positively with calcium supplement intake, and negatively with exercise barriers and smoking status of the subjects (p < 0.05). However, no significant correlation was noted between osteoporosis knowledge and bone health (p > 0.05). Conclusively, despite some correlations between individual components, the detachment between bone health knowledge and beliefs, and osteoprotective practices among Malaysians is apparent. Integrating all three components into a comprehensive osteoporosis prevention program is warranted.

Inter - Relationship of Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude, Some Socio-Economic Variables and Osteoporosis in Sample of Egyptian Women.

BACKGROUND:Osteoporosis is a global health problem, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing worldwide.AIM:The aim was to assess the awareness concerning some nutritional and socio-economic variables causes the disease in a sample of Egyptian women.METHODS:This study was done among 116 female volunteers. They were divided into two groups, pre and post-menopausal, with a mean age of 42.05 ± 8.25 & 51.13 ± 5.82 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 30.83 ± 8.18 & 34.24 ± 8.80 kg/m2. A standardised questionnaire, socioeconomic and food frequency chart were used to assess osteoporosis and food intake awareness. Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Statistical analyses were done using simple percentage and Chi-square test.RESULTS:Data revealed that a low percentage of pre and post-menopausal women were aware of osteoporosis and fracture (16.67% & 12.96% and 30.65% & 19.35%). They had incomplete knowledge about the sources and the beneficial effects of consumption of calcium and vitamin D rich diet. Non-osteoporotic women showed more awareness. Odds ratio predict occupations and educations levels as risk factors for osteoporosis.CONCLUSION:Awareness about osteoporosis and consumption healthy diet were low among Egyptian women, so it is important to implement special osteoporosis prevention program.

Self-management Processes Used by Healthy Middle-aged Women to Change Behaviors.

The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to understand the processes women used to change osteoporosis prevention health behaviors. Twenty healthy, predominately white, middle-aged women engaged in an osteoporosis prevention program shared behavior change stories. Results indicated that behavior change was a highly personalized process influenced by a myriad of factors that are unique to the individual. Approaches to behavior change varied across individuals over time and were shaped by personal preferences, capacity, and past experiences. Rather than relying on a systematic approach to health behavior change, women selected and restructured aspects of research-based recommendations to match their personal needs and preferences. We identified four person-initiated behavior change processes: (a) picking and choosing, (b) doing it my way, (c) recognizing how I am doing, and (d) using prompts and feedback. Understanding the process people use to change behaviors might uniquely contribute to increasing the effectiveness of theory, research, intervention development, and clinical care.

Intensive screening for osteoporosis in patients with hip fracture.

Patients experiencing a hip fracture are subject to an increased risk of subsequent fractures. This suggests an urgent need to develop strategies that will allow a higher number of patients with fragility hip fractures to be investigated and treated for osteoporosis. In accordance, we developed a secondary osteoporosis prevention program and evaluated the results of the program. In the study period, 1071 patients with a hip fracture were admitted to Hvidovre University Hospital. Eligible patients were offered an osteoporosis investigation program, which included a DXA-scan with vertebral fracture assessment and a medical consultation. The data retrieved from this program were registered and analyzed. The primary goal of the study was to describe the number of subjects, who completed the program, and to characterize the initiated osteoporosis treatment. Secondary outcomes evaluated were prevalence of DXA-verified osteoporosis, changes in T-score due to treatment, and 1-year mortality rate. In total, 557 patients were offered participation of which 333 patients completed the full program. Among these, 159 patients had DXA-verified osteoporosis and 192 patients were started treatment. This resulted in a significant higher T-score at the lumbar spine and femoral neck compared with subjects not treated. Additionally, we report a 1-year mortality rate of 27.7% among all patients with hip fracture. We report that an intensive outreach osteoporosis investigation program can help increase the number of hip fracture patients being tested and treated for osteoporosis. Further, the initiation of treatment can significantly increase the T-score.

Bone Mineral Density Among Men and Women Aged 35 to 50 Years.

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and has been thought to only be a major health concern for postmenopausal women. However, osteoporosis and its risk factors have been greatly understudied in the middle-aged and male populations. To assess the likelihood of low BMD and its association with related risk factors in early-middle-aged (defined in this study as 35-50 years) men and women. Eligible men and women completed a questionnaire assessing calcium intake, hours per week of exercise, and other related risk factors associated with osteoporosis and osteopenia. The primary outcome variable, BMD, was attained using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans taken at the femoral neck, trochanter, intertrochanteric crest, total femur, and lumbar spine. Of the 173 participants in this study, 23 men (28%) and 24 women (26%) had osteopenia at the femoral neck. In men, there was a significant and negative correlation between exercise and femoral neck BMD (r=-0.296, P=.01). In women, correlation analyses showed significant positive correlations between exercise and BMD of the trochanter (r=0.329, P=.003), intertrochanteric crest (r=0.285, P=.01), total femur (r=0.30, P=.01), and lumbar spine (r=0.29, P=.01). Osteopenia was found in more than 25% of both male and female participants, which suggests that more osteoporosis screening and prevention programs need to be targeted to persons in the studied age group because osteopenia can lead to osteoporosis.

Knowledge, Beliefs, Dietary, and Lifestyle Practices Related to Bone Health among Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Osteoporosis is a growing health problem in Asian countries with a rapidly expanding aging population. Adequate knowledge and positive health beliefs regarding osteoporosis will encourage individuals to adopt measures to protect bone health. This study aimed to investigate the association between knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding osteoporosis and bone health among Malaysians Chinese aged 40 years and above. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 367 Malaysians Chinese (182 men, 185 women) aged ≥ 40 years in Klang Valley, Malaysia. They completed a questionnaire on knowledge, beliefs, and practices of osteoporosis and underwent bone mineral density scan using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device. The subjects showed moderate knowledge and high level of health beliefs regarding osteoporosis, but poor osteoprotective practices. Osteoporosis knowledge and beliefs were significantly different based on subjects’ demographic characteristics (p < 0.05). Additionally, osteoporosis knowledge was correlated positively with beliefs, coffee or tea intake (p < 0.05) but not with other lifestyle practices. Osteoporosis health beliefs was associated positively with physical activity, dairy and calcium intake (p < 0.05). However, bone health was not associated with knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding osteoporosis (p > 0.05). The present findings highlight the need of formulating osteoporosis prevention program targeting Malaysians Chinese, especially men, to improve their knowledge, health beliefs, and practice.

Gendered perceptions of osteoporosis: implications for youth prevention programs.

The presentation of osteoporosis as a woman's disease in prevention information influences how osteoporosis is perceived and how prevention information is internalized and applied. Using the Health Belief Model as a framework, gendered perceptions of osteoporosis were investigated in Canadian young adults to inform the design of prevention programs. A combination of the Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS) and semi-structured interviews were used to explore participants' perceptions of osteoporosis severity, susceptibility, and motivation to engage in prevention activities. Sixty multiethnic men and women aged 17-30 years living in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada participated in the study. While the findings from the OHBS indicated that both genders scored high for self-efficacy, the results from the qualitative interviews showed ambivalent attitudes toward prevention behaviors, indicating a disconnect between quantitative and qualitative findings. Perceptions related to severity and susceptibility revealed that while osteoporosis was generally viewed as a woman's disease, perceived individual risk of disease was a negotiation between larger gender constructs of osteoporosis and a variety of risk factors. This study indicates that osteoporosis prevention programs should consider actively acknowledging gendered and youth-based conceptions of osteoporosis in order to increase prevention behaviors in the whole population to reduce future disease.

Exploring the current and future role of the pharmacists in osteoporosis screening and management in Malaysia.

Background Several studies have found that pharmacists can assist in screening and prevention of osteoporosis by referring patients for bone mineral density scans and counselling on lifestyle changes. In Malaysia, screening osteoporosis in all elderly women is not mandatory due to its cost. One approach to address this gap is to develop a pharmacist-led osteoporosis screening and prevention program. However, there is a paucity of data on the perspectives of Malaysian pharmacists in this area. Objective To explore the perspective of stakeholders (policy makers, doctors, pharmacists, nurses and patients) towards the role of pharmacists in osteoporosis screening and management. Setting A primary care clinic located within a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Method Patients (n=20), nurses (n=10), pharmacists (n=11), doctors (n=10) and policy makers (n=5) were individually interviewed using a semi-structured topic guide. Purposive sampling was used. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Main outcome measure Perspective of stakeholders on the current and future role of pharmacists. Results All participants perceived pharmacists to be suppliers of medication, although there was some recognition of roles in providing medication advice. Nonetheless, these stakeholders were eager for pharmacists to expand their non-dispensing roles towards counselling, creating awareness and screening of osteoporosis. Interviewed pharmacists referred to their current role as 'robotic dispensers' and unanimously agreed to spread out to osteoporosis management role. Conclusion Under stakeholders there is a willingness to expand the role of pharmacists in Malaysia to non-dispensing roles, particularly in osteoporosis screening and management.

Increasing the knowledge, identification and treatment of osteoporosis through education and shared decision-making with residents living in a retirement village community.

This pilot study explored whether individual goal setting in a retirement village setting could improve strategies to strengthen bones in an ageing population and help prevent osteoporosis. A two-phased osteoporosis prevention program was developed, piloted and evaluated involving a group education session followed by the development of individualised Bone Plans based upon personal understanding of individual fracture risk and lifestyle factors. A significant improvement in knowledge and understanding of factors to prevent and manage osteoporosis was achieved, and changes in lifestyle behaviours were sustained at six months. Success was due to education by specialist medical and health personnel, flexibility of goal setting, use of group sessions and location of the program within the retirement community setting. The 'Mind Your Bones' program is a feasible and acceptable way to translate preventative bone health messages to a large number of people via the retirement village network.

Theory-based Osteoporosis Prevention Education and Counseling Program for Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of an osteoporosis prevention program based on the Health Belief Model for women between the ages of 30years and 45years at risk of osteoporosis. This study was conducted with randomized control group pretest, post-test and follow-up trial. Intervention group (n=37) and control group (n=36) participated in the research. Data were collected using a sociodemographic data questionnaire, the Osteoporosis Knowledge Test, the Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale, the Osteoporosis Self-efficacy Scale, a monitoring form for estimated dairy calcium intake, and a monitoring form for estimated weekly exercise. Intervention program was composed of a 4-week education program and a 24-week counseling program. Data were collected pretest, post-test 15days after the end of the education program, follow-up 1 after 3months, and follow-up 2 after 6months. Mann Whitney U test, chi-square test, Friedman test, Bonferroni test, two means test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for statistical analysis. After the education and counseling program, a significant increase was seen in comparison with the control group in the mean scores of the intervention group on the Osteoporosis Knowledge Test and its subscales (p<.001), on the Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale and its subscales (p<.001), on the Osteoporosis Self-efficacy Scale and its subscales (p<.001), and in their daily calcium intake (p<.001) and duration of weekly exercise (p<.001). The results of this study were evidence that showed the effects of Health Belief Model-based osteoporosis prevention education and counseling program conducted by nurses.

Evaluation of Three Osteoporosis Prevention Programs for Young Women: Application of the Health Belief Model

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of theory-based osteoporosis prevention programs on calcium and vitamin D intakes and osteoporosis health beliefs in young women. Methods: Women (N = 152) aged 19 to 25 years were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: a brochure group (n = 51), a computer-tailored program group (n = 51, and the same computer-tailored program (n = 50) with brief verbal feedback. Participants completed surveys regarding osteoporosis beliefs prior to and immediately after assigned intervention. They also completed surveys measuring osteoporosis behaviors before and 1 month after intervention. Results: Participants (n = 152) in all groups significantly improved calcium intakes from baseline to 1 month after interventions. All groups experienced significant decreases in perceived barriers to obtaining adequate vitamin D and significant increases in perceived osteoporosis susceptibility and severity. Discussion: Interventions that delivered osteoporosis material via a brochure or tailored computerized messages with or without brief feedback from a health professional were successful. These changes may be due to theory-based components of the interventions. Translation to Health Education Practice: Though future research is needed, this study holds promise for health education practice to use health behavior theory to plan cost-effective osteoprotective programs for young women.