DXA, health beliefs, and osteoporosis prevention behaviors.
OBJECTIVE
This experimental longitudinal study was designed to examine the relationship between having a bone density through dual energy X ray absorptiometry (DXA) and osteoporosis preventing behaviors (OPB) among healthy postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Subjects were 203 healthy community-based women 50-65 years of age. Mediating variables were general knowledge of osteoporosis and revised health belief model variables. Treatment group women (n = 101) had a DXA screen and control group women (n = 102) did not. Study questionnaires were completed at three time points; initially and at 6 months and 12 months.


RESULTS
Repeated measures ANOVA revealed treatment group women scored significantly higher on perceived susceptibility and calcium intake. Wilks's Lambda F revealed a significant difference in use of osteoporosis preventing medications.


CONCLUSIONS
Personal knowledge gained from DXAs increased perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis, calcium intake, and use of osteoporosis preventing medications and appears to be an effective intervention in promoting OPB in younger postmenopausal women.
Sedlak
Carol A
CA
College of Nursing, Henderson Hall, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA. csedlak@kent.edu
Doheny
Margaret O
MO
Estok
Patricia J
PJ
Zeller
Richard A
RA
Winchell
Janice
J
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D017698:Postmenopause; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health; D014932:Women's Health Services