Osteoporosis Knowledge and Health Beliefs Among Men in Midlife Years

Objective: To examine the role of socioeconomic variables on middle-aged adult men's knowledge and health beliefs about osteoporosis. Methods: An anonymous survey used validated scales to assess osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs in a sample of 262 men aged 36-55 years. Descriptive and group-differences statistics (MANOVA and ANOVA) were used. Results: Total osteoporosis knowledge was low (mean, 11.1 of 22) and mean scores on perceived susceptibility and seriousness health belief domains were also low: 13.2 and 17.2, respectively out of 30. Multivariate ANOVA revealed that perceived seriousness, barriers to calcium intake, and health motivation varied significantly with level of formal education attained (P <.05). There was no significant difference with income. Conclusions and Implications: Results of this convenience sample of predominantly white men found that level of osteoporosis knowledge and perceived susceptibility were low. Given the increased prevalence of osteoporosis-related fracture in men, methods to increase knowledge and awareness are needed.