Abstract:
Osteoporosis affects millions of postmenopausal women with morbidity, mortality and cost consequences. Many women fail to adopt preventive strategies to minimize bone loss. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a self-efficacy enhanced osteoporosis education program on self-efficacy and compliance with exercise and calcium intake. The framework is derived from Bandura's efficacy expectations, a component of Social Cognitive Theory. A convenience sample of 100 postmenopausal women without previous diagnosis of osteoporosis will be recruited through public advertisement and randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. The control group will attend a traditional osteoporosis educational program and the experimental group will attend a self-efficacy enhanced osteoporosis education program. Self-efficacy, exercise behaviors and calcium intake will be assessed 3 months following the programs. Self-efficacy will be measured by the Osteoporosis Self-Efficacy Scale. Permission will be obtained from Ball State University and participating agencies. Participation is voluntary and informed consent will be obtained. The findings of this study will provide information about the importance of self-efficacy in osteoporosis prevention education programs.