Improving the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis using a senior-friendly peer-led community education and mentoring model: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundThis randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated a 6-month peer-led community education and mentorship program to improve the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis.MethodsTen seniors (74–90 years of age) were trained to become peer educators and mentors and deliver the intervention. In the subsequent RCT, 105 seniors (mean age =80.5±6.9; 89% female) were randomly assigned to the peer-led education and mentorship program (n=53) or control group (n=52). Knowledge was assessed at baseline and 6 months. Success was defined as discussing osteoporosis risk with their family physician, obtaining a bone mineral density assessment, and returning to review their risk profile and receive advice and/or treatment.ResultsKnowledge of osteoporosis did not change significantly. There was no difference in knowledge change between the two groups (mean difference =1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] of difference −0.76 to 3.36). More participants in the intervention group achieved a successful outcome (odds ratio 0.16, 95% CI 0.06–0.42, P<0.001).ConclusionPeer-led education and mentorship can promote positive health behavior in seniors. This model was effective for improving osteoporosis risk assessment, diagnosis, and treatment in a community setting.

Osteoporosis Knowledge and Health Beliefs Among Female Community Leaders in Peru

“…Furthermore, as previous studies across different cultural backgrounds have suggested, community-based and/or peer-led targeted interventions are highly effective in improving general knowledge regarding osteoporosis. [37][38][39] In Peru, motivated community leaders have proved to be valuable assets in community-based health interventions, 40,41 suggesting that our study participants could play a crucial role in extending the benefits of future osteoporosis prevention programs to more members of the community.…”

Interventions Preventing Osteoporosis in Primary Care: A Systematic Review

“…The mean age of the participants ranged from 18.5 (12) to 87 years (32). Of the 17 intervention studies, seven included both gender adult (10,18,19,24,26,27,32) eight included female-only samples participants (11,12,17,21,(28)(29)(30)(31) one included unclear and one included male-only samples adult participants (25). The sample sized ranged from 73 (28) to 4168 (21).…”

“…The sample sized ranged from 73 (28) to 4168 (21). Of the included studies, seven studies involved people with risk of OP or/and with risk of fracture related to OP (10,18,20,21,27,28,32), three studies involved people with menopausal women (17,30,31), seven studies involved people with older adult (11,19,(24)(25)(26)29,32) one study involved people with students (12), one study involved people with healthy older man (25).…”

“…The included studies were conducted in Australia (20,25,27,30), Canada (18,26,32), China (24), Thailand (12), Turkey (28), UK (19,21), USA (10,11,17,29), Vietnam (31). Of the included studies, two included community-dwelling (18,25) one included nursing school (12), two included community pharmacies (11,26), eight included community (10,17,20,24,27,(30)(31)(32), four included primary care (19,21,28,29).…”

“…Of the included studies, model was used in four studies and theory was not used in any study. These were two studies using Health Belief Model (10,28), one study using Precaution Adoption Process Model (17), one study using peer-support model (32).…”