Background/Purpose: Osteoporosis is a major public health problem that results in morbidity and mortality. While osteoporosis manifestation occurs later in life, prevention should start early. Many young women do not practice bone protective behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine if all components of the Prevention of Osteoporosis in Women (POW) program were needed to positively change osteoporosis health beliefs in young women.
Method: The Prevention of Osteoporosis in Women (POW) program pilot study randomly assigned 100 women, aged 19 to 25 to two groups. Group 1 (n=50) received computer-tailored feedback based on the Health Belief Model with brief counseling. Group 2 (n=50) received the same intervention with heel QUS and bone strength feedback. Participants, through computer surveys, rated perceived osteoporosis susceptibility, severity, barriers to recommended vitamin D and calcium intake immediately before, soon after, and one month after intervention.
Analysis/Results: All participants completed the study. No statistically significant group or interaction effects were found for all four outcome variables. Only perceived barriers to adequate vitamin D intake statistically significantly decreased in both groups while the other health beliefs trended appropriately. Most participants found the POW program relevant, enjoyable, influential, and user friendly.
Conclusions: QUS with bone strength feedback was not needed to appropriately change osteoporosis health beliefs in young women who received POW computer-tailored feedback with counseling. According to HBM, changing health beliefs could lead to young women adopting bone protective behaviors. More research is needed to determine if this intervention would lead to behavior change.