title: Using the internet to educate adolescents about osteoporosis: application of a tailored web-education system.
abstract: Osteoporosis is a "pediatric disease with geriatric consequences." This article describes the development and pilot testing of an online system to educate high school students grades 9-12 about osteoporosis; an age where positive health changes could have long lasting effects. The intervention goal was to improve knowledge about osteoporosis and intent to adopt healthy bone practices. Online pre- and postintervention surveys evaluated participants' pre- and postintervention osteoporosis knowledge, attitudes, preventive practices, and postintervention intent to change healthy bone practices. Participants completed the Web-based program that provided detailed information about osteoporosis, and healthy bone practices, immediately after completing the pretest and just prior to completing the posttest. Eighty-nine students completed both the pre/posttests and were included in data analysis. Participants ranged in age from 13 to 17 and 75% were Caucasian (n = 65). Based on pre/posttest scores of 9 factual questions, students significantly improved their knowledge (p < .0001) and overall knowledge rating about osteoporosis at posttest (p < .001). Participants changed their perception regarding the disease's seriousness (p < .001), and considered adopting osteoporosis prevention practices. The study shows that an interactive educational Web site is an effective method for increasing awareness and understanding of osteoporosis in high school students.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine at the School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Elinor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Randi Schoenfeld
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Suh-Yuh
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D010024:Osteoporosis; D016474:Weight-Bearing