Osteoporosis in older men: knowledge and health beliefs.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this theory-based descriptive study was to describe older men's (> or = 65 years of age) knowledge of osteoporosis, their health beliefs about osteoporosis (specifically their perceived susceptibility), their confidence to perform osteoporosis-prevention behaviors, and actual performance of osteoporosis-prevention behaviors.

DESIGN

A descriptive design was used to determine men's knowledge and health beliefs of osteoporosis, confidence to perform osteoporosis prevention behaviors, and performance of osteoporosis prevention behaviors.

SAMPLE

A community-based convenience sample of 138 men 65 years of age and older was obtained in Northeastern Ohio community centers where men were likely to gather.

METHOD

Men completed a questionnaire that included the Osteoporosis Knowledge Test, Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale, Osteoporosis Self-Efficacy Scale (Kim, Horan & Gendler, 1991), and the Osteoporosis Preventing Behaviors Survey (Doheny & Sedlak, 1995).

MAIN RESEARCH CLASSIFICATIONS

Osteoporosis, Men, Prevention, Health Beliefs, Orthopaedic Nursing.

FINDINGS

Men had poor knowledge of osteoporosis, did not perceive themselves as susceptible to osteoporosis, and engaged in few osteoporosis preventing behaviors such as weight-bearing exercises and dietary calcium intake.

CONCLUSION

Men need osteoporosis education and modification of lifestyle to include osteoporosis prevention behaviors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING RESEARCH

Future research should include the development of osteoporosis awareness programs for men.