title: Instructing students to measure their own bone density and prepare a simulated health class during pharmacy school improves their awareness and understanding of osteoporosis prevention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis is estimated to afflict over 200 million people worldwide and healthcare professionals are needed to successfully intervene. The aim of this study was to assess cognitive changes in students pertaining to the primary prevention of osteoporosis after measuring their bone density and having them participate in a simulated health class during pharmacy school.
  
  
  METHODS
  Third year pharmacy students participated in the training program, which consisted of measuring their bone density using quantitative ultrasound and preparing educational materials and conducting a simulated health class. The students' knowledge concerning the prevention and education on osteoporosis was surveyed using questionnaires before and after the training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The bone area ratio (BAR) in 24 % of the students was evaluated as category 4 (slightly low) or 5 (low or caution). Regression analysis indicated a significant relationship between the BAR and amount of exercise reported in both males (p = 0.005) and females (p = 0.004). The student-made educational materials were prepared in line with the requirements of the Japanese 2011 guidelines. The student response rates for the importance of food, exercise, and the bone density measurement in youth were significantly increased after the training (p < 0.001 in all). More than 95 % of students reported that the program was useful, improved their understanding, and important, with 94 % satisfied with the experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This experience-based educational program combining measuring the bone density and the preparation and presentation of a simulated health class appeared to improve the awareness and understanding of osteoporosis prevention in pharmacy students.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, 1714-1 Yoshino-machi, Nobeoka, Miyazaki 882-8508 Japan.
authors.forename: Erisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tomishige-Mukai
authors.affiliation: First Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, 1714-1 Yoshino-machi, Nobeoka, Miyazaki 882-8508 Japan.
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kawachi
authors.affiliation: First Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, 1714-1 Yoshino-machi, Nobeoka, Miyazaki 882-8508 Japan.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kiyohara
authors.affiliation: First Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, 1714-1 Yoshino-machi, Nobeoka, Miyazaki 882-8508 Japan.
authors.forename: Fuminori
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Esaki
authors.affiliation: First Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, 1714-1 Yoshino-machi, Nobeoka, Miyazaki 882-8508 Japan.
authors.forename: Junichiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sonoda
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, Miyazaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shinya
authors.affiliation: First Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, 1714-1 Yoshino-machi, Nobeoka, Miyazaki 882-8508 Japan.
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Narumi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, Miyazaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Keizo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: First Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, 1714-1 Yoshino-machi, Nobeoka, Miyazaki 882-8508 Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Motoya
keywords: Local residents; Measurement of bone density; Pharmacy education; Prevent osteoporosis; Simulated-health class