Osteoporosis International
Volume 20, Issue 9, 2009, Pages 1517-1522

Greater osteoporosis educational outreach is desirable among Chinese immigrants in Chinatown, Chicago (Article)

Tan S. , Ji L. , Tsai J. , Eng J. , Ko H.-J. , Yau A. , Edwards G. , Bunta A. , Edwards B.J.
  • a Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
  • b Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
  • c Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
  • d Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
  • e Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
  • f Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
  • g Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
  • h Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
  • i Bone Health and Osteoporosis Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

Abstract

Summary: Osteoporosis beliefs were assessed in immigrant Chinese women in Chinatown, Chicago. Results from a survey utilizing the Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale showed that women expressed concern about osteoporosis but lacked both knowledge of preventive care and health motivation. Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess osteoporosis beliefs in immigrant Chinese women in Chinatown, Chicago. Methods: In a community-based health fair, osteoporosis knowledge and self-efficacy among postmenopausal Chinese immigrants were assessed using the translated Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed with calcaneal ultrasound. Results: The study population included 94 women with mean age of 51 ± 9 years, mean length of residence in the United States of 9 ± 7 years, and 73% (n = 76) of whom were recent immigrants. Women expressed concern about the seriousness of osteoporosis and their relative susceptibility to osteoporosis. In particular, women with a prior fracture reported higher seriousness to osteoporosis. Nonetheless, women exhibited low health motivation and low awareness of the benefits of calcium and exercise. Bone densitometry results corresponded to a T score of -1.2 ± 1.5. Multiple regression analysis revealed that a younger age and longer length of residence in the USA were associated with higher BMD. Conclusion: Chinese immigrant women in Chicago exhibit concern regarding osteoporosis, but are unaware of the benefits of calcium and exercise, and exhibit low health motivation. Chinese women in Chinatown lack necessary knowledge about osteoporosis to develop adequate self-efficacy. Public health initiatives should be undertaken among recent immigrant Chinese women. © 2008 International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation.

Author Keywords

Chinese Fractures Education Osteoporosis beliefs

Index Keywords

rating scale Calcaneus China immigrant fracture Chinese exercise motivation human Health Behavior middle aged health belief Chicago priority journal Aged Calcium knowledge Self Efficacy United States Humans Emigrants and Immigrants osteoporosis female Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal bone densitometry Fractures, Bone Risk Factors self concept echography Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article major clinical study adult health education Bone Density awareness diet supplementation patient attitude attitude to health public health health survey

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-68949199782&doi=10.1007%2fs00198-008-0828-3&partnerID=40&md5=34e4a3b6abd0e742a2258764feb2bb1f

DOI: 10.1007/s00198-008-0828-3
ISSN: 0937941X
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English