title: Osteoporosis education improves osteoporosis knowledge and dietary calcium: comparison of a 4 week and a one-session education course.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Education is ideal for osteoporosis because many risk factors are modifiable. However, the efficacy of shortened education courses compared to a standard 4 week course for improving osteoporosis knowledge and healthy behaviours is not known. This study aimed to assess whether education changed knowledge and healthy behaviours over 3 months of follow-up; and whether changes in these outcomes were different between participants receiving the different education courses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults aged ≥ 50 years presenting to Emergency with mild to moderate trauma fractures received either the Osteoporosis Prevention and Self-Management Course (OPSMC) (4 × 2.5 h) (n = 75) or a one-session course (1 × 2.5 h) (n = 71) in a non-randomised prospective study with single-blinded allocation. Participants completed questionnaires measuring osteoporosis knowledge, dietary calcium, physical activity, calcium and exercise self-efficacy, and osteoporosis medications at baseline and 3 months. Data were analysed using mixed models and GEE regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Osteoporosis knowledge and calcium from food (% of RDI) increased from baseline to 3 months in both groups (P < 0.01). Use of osteoporosis medications increased between baseline and 3 months in the OPSMC group while decreasing in the one-session group (P = 0.039). There were no differences between the groups or over time in physical activity, calcium or exercise self-efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteoporosis education (either the OPSMC or the one-session course) improved osteoporosis knowledge and calcium intake after 3 months. Participants attending the OPSMC maintained medication compliance. We were unable to determine other differences between the courses. This study confirms the value of osteoporosis education for improving osteoporosis knowledge.
authors.affiliation: The University of Adelaide Discipline of Medicine, Modbury Hospital, Modbury, Australia. llaslett@utas.edu.au
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Laslett
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Julian D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: McNeil
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary