Brief Osteoporosis Education to Increase Awareness in Middle Aged and Elderly. (BOEIAMAE)

Effects of 20 Minutes Osteoporosis Education on the Awareness of Osteoporosis in People Registered in Elderly Care Homes

Osteoporosis is a growing global concern, particularly as the population of middle-aged and elderly individuals continues to rise within communities. This demographic, being more susceptible to chronic diseases, poses a burden on healthcare systems. The objective of this study is to explore methods of educating middle-aged and elderly individuals about osteoporosis, aiming to raise awareness of the disease and promote informed decision-making regarding prevention and treatment options

This research will involve visiting all four Elderly Houses in Muratpasa, Antalya. After obtaining informed consent, participants will be asked to provide demographic information, including age, sex, and education levels, as well as relevant medical history, such as family history of osteoporosis. Additionally, participants will complete a validated questionnaire called the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT). Those who express interest in further education will be enrolled in an osteoporosis education program, which will be scheduled accordingly. The education program will utilize slides prepared based on information from the International Osteoporosis Foundation website (http://www.osteoporosis.foundation) and the WHO health education booklet. Delivered by a physiatrist, the education session will be concise, lasting approximately 20 minutes, and will cover various topics, including the definition of osteoporosis, its causes, risks, complications, dietary options, and specific exercise recommendations. Following the education session, participants will once again complete the OKAT questionnaire to assess any changes in knowledge. They will also have the opportunity to have their questions addressed. One month later, participants will be contacted by phone for a follow-up interview, during which changes in their dietary habits, sun exposure, exercise routines, and other relevant factors will be discussed. Lastly, participants will complete the OKAT questionnaire for the third time. These measures will help evaluate the effectiveness of the osteoporosis education intervention and provide insights into any potential changes in participants' knowledge and behavior over time.

In this study, we plan to employ a statistical model as its primary framework for evaluation and analysis. The main focus of the study will center around the statistical modeling of data collected through pre and post-education questionnaires, as well as the demographic information of the participants and changes in their lifestyle habits. The study design will include cluster randomization, wherein two out of the four elderly homes in our municipality will be randomly selected using a simple random sampling technique (via coin toss) to be part of the study. Participants attending to these selected houses will be recruited as volunteers through short message service (SMS) invitations. This approach will enable us to examine and analyze the impact of the education intervention on participants' knowledge levels, as well as their potential shifts in lifestyle choices.

The study does not involve masking for participants, investigator and assessors as the primary objective is to assess the impact of pre and post-education interventions on awareness scores, which are objective measures not subject to potential bias from knowledge of the intervention status.

The Education Group arm will involve participants who receive the osteoporosis education intervention, which includes a concise educational session delivered by a physiatrist, covering various topics related to osteoporosis. Participants in this arm will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and awareness of osteoporosis through the provided educational materials and interactive discussions.

The intervention in this osteoporosis education research will consist of a concise and informative educational session delivered by a physiatrist, utilizing slides prepared based on information from reputable sources such as the International Osteoporosis Foundation website and the World Health Organization (WHO) health education booklet. The session will cover various topics including the definition of osteoporosis, its causes, risks, complications, dietary options, and specific exercise recommendations, with a focus on raising awareness and promoting informed decision-making regarding prevention and treatment options.

Change in participants' knowledge about osteoporosis before and after the education. This can be assessed using the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool. Each correct answer receives 1 point, and incorrect or unknown answers receive 0 points, resulting in scores ranging from 0 to 20, based on this 20-question questionnaire. High scores mean a better awareness.

Inclusion Criteria: Middle-aged and elderly individuals (e.g., 50 years and above). Ability to understand and communicate in the language of the study materials (Turkish). Willingness to participate in the study and provide informed consent. Residency in the community where the Elderly Houses are located (Muratpasa, Antalya). Availability to attend the education session and complete follow-up assessments. Exclusion Criteria: Severe cognitive impairments or mental health conditions that may hinder comprehension or participation. Pre-existing knowledge or educational background in osteoporosis, particularly through careers in health systems, that may bias the results. Participation in any other osteoporosis education programs within a specified period before the study. Inability to complete the questionnaire independently or engage in follow-up communication.

The IPD sharing plan for this osteoporosis education study prioritizes participant confidentiality and privacy. Therefore, the individual participant data will not be openly or publicly shared due to ethical considerations and the sensitive nature of the data. However, we support transparency and scientific collaboration. Upon request, deidentified aggregate data or summary statistics may be shared with qualified researchers for collaborative research, meta-analyses, or further exploration of study outcomes. Data sharing will comply with data protection regulations and guidelines. Requests for data access will be evaluated case-by-case by the principal investigator and research team, considering scientific validity, participant privacy protection, and ethical principles. Data access may require appropriate data sharing agreements and compliance with institutional and ethical review board policies.

Access to the individual participant data (IPD) will be granted to qualified researchers or institutions engaged in scientific research or analysis related to osteoporosis education. Researchers must comply with ethical guidelines and data protection regulations. Researchers must sign a data use agreement and submit a research proposal outlining their study objectives and methodology. Access to the IPD will be subject to review and approval by an access committee or data sharing board. No data access fee will be charged.

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The information presented in the PowerPoint slides has been derived from the 'International Osteoporosis Foundation' website.

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/119953/EMRPUB_2012_EN_1362.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y