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

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. This study was presented at the annual meeting of the International Society of Clinical Densitometry, San Francisco, CA, March 2008.