title: DXA, health beliefs, and osteoporosis prevention behaviors.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Henderson Hall, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA. csedlak@kent.edu
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sedlak
authors.forename: Margaret O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Doheny
authors.forename: Patricia J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Estok
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Zeller
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winchell
mesh_terms: 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