Factors influencing stage of change and osteoporosis prevention behaviors

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem that places a huge economic burden on our health care system, and an equally immense physical, psychologic, and social burden on its victims. The insidious, pathologic changes of osteoporosis may go unnoticed for many years. Once recognized, management efforts must focus on expensive and perhaps ineffective treatment of this potentially preventable disease. This study assessed women's osteoporosis prevention behaviors, and examined factors that influence those behaviors.;A descriptive research design was implemented to elicit women's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in two main areas of osteoporosis prevention, calcium intake and exercise level. The Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavior Change guided the study. The sample consisted of 214 subjects in five sites located in Johnstown, PA. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data necessary to classify subjects into one of the following five stages of change for calcium intake and exercise level: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Data were analyzed using chi square, ANOVA, and discriminant function analysis.;Findings support the use of stages of change in osteoporosis prevention. For calcium intake, women in various stages of change differed significantly on perceived health responsibility, barriers to calcium intake, and calcium knowledge. For exercise level, women in various stages of change differed significantly on perceived risk of osteoporosis, perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, exercise knowledge, and menopausal status. Overall, women in maintenance stage perceived fewer barriers and more benefits to adequate calcium intake and exercise level, had more accurate knowledge about these osteoporosis prevention behaviors, perceived themselves as more at risk for osteoporosis, and felt more responsibility for their own health.;Further research with other populations of women is needed to develop improved measurement techniques, explain in more detail the predictors of stage placement, and to clarify the nature of perceived barriers and benefits of behavior change. Osteoporosis prevention programs incorporating stage of change principles will more effectively meet the specific needs of program participants.