title: Knowledge change regarding osteoporosis prevention: translating recommended guidelines into user-friendly messages within a community forum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterised by low bone mineral density and increased fracture risk. Nationally the total costs of this chronic disease are currently estimated at $2.754 billion annually. Effective public health messages providing clear recommendations are vital in supporting prevention efforts. This research aimed to investigate knowledge change associated with the translation of preventive guidelines into accessible messages for the community.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We delivered a community-based information session that translated recommended guidelines for osteoporosis prevention into lay terms; items focused on dietary calcium, vitamin D, physical activity, alcohol, smoking and general osteoporosis-related knowledge. We developed a 10-item questionnaire reflecting these key points (score range 0-10) and investigated knowledge change associated with the session. Pre- and post-test questionnaires were completed by 47 participants (51% female), aged 21-94 years. Relatively high pre-test scores were observed for questions regarding sedentary activity and calcium intake. The lowest pre-test scores were observed for the item concerning whether swimming and cycling strengthened bones, and the highest possible score post-test was achieved for three of the items: calcium-rich food as a protective factor, and excessive alcohol and smoking as risk factors. The overall increase in knowledge change was a mean score of +2.08 (95%CI 1.58-2.42).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An increase in knowledge regarding osteoporosis prevention was demonstrated over the short-term. Our findings suggest that the guidelines concerning dietary calcium are generally well understood; however, the asymptomatic nature of osteoporosis and the types of physical activity that assist with bone strength are less well understood.
authors.affiliation: Epi-Centre for Healthy Ageing, School of Medicine (Barwon Health), Deakin University, PO BOX 281, Geelong, VIC, Australia. shoski@barwonhealth.org.au.
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hosking
authors.affiliation: Epi-Centre for Healthy Ageing, School of Medicine (Barwon Health), Deakin University, PO BOX 281, Geelong, VIC, Australia. ameliadobbins@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amelia G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Dobbins
authors.affiliation: Epi-Centre for Healthy Ageing, School of Medicine (Barwon Health), Deakin University, PO BOX 281, Geelong, VIC, Australia. juliep@barwonhealth.org.au.|NorthWest Academic Centre, Department of Medicine, the University of Melbourne, St Albans, VIC, Australia. juliep@barwonhealth.org.au.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pasco
authors.affiliation: Epi-Centre for Healthy Ageing, School of Medicine (Barwon Health), Deakin University, PO BOX 281, Geelong, VIC, Australia. sharob@barwonhealth.org.au.|NorthWest Academic Centre, Department of Medicine, the University of Melbourne, St Albans, VIC, Australia. sharob@barwonhealth.org.au.
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003256:Community Participation; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D