142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Evaluation of web-based osteoporosis educational materials: Implications for older women

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014

Lori Turner, PhD, RD , Department of Health Science, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Lorraine Wallace
Dara Dewberry
Background: Osteoporosis is a public health problem and devastating disease that causes fractures, crippling, disfigurement and death. Many older women are unaware of risk factors for osteoporosis or the devastating consequences of associated fractures. Education is essential to help older women manage and treat osteoporosis. Unfortunately numerous studies have demonstrated inconsistencies between disease prevention educational materials and reading ability of many American adults.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the readability and quality of web-based osteoporosis information.

Methods: The Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) and DISCERN instruments were utilized. The most popular websites containing osteoporosis information were selected based on Nielsen/Net Ratings. Facebook, Google, and Yahoo were utilized. The search term osteoporosis was entered to generate the first 30 websites listed by each of the four search engines. Several websites appeared on all search engines; 14 websites were identified.

Results: Overall, 48% of materials were rated by the SAM as not suitable. Most materials scored poorly for their reading level (76% were rated not suitable), with an average reading level at grade 11.2. The mean DISCERN score for overall description of treatment options was 33.7 indicating inadequate quality. Most materials had low quality for accuracy.

Conclusions:  Web-based osteoporosis information is written far above the reading level of most American adults, and much of this information lacks accuracy. Public health professionals need to assist older women as they navigate osteoporosis websites.

Learning Areas:

Communication and informatics
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Define osteoporosis and list the consequences of this disease. Describe the importance of suitable educational materials. List problems with osteoporosis websites in the areas of reading ability, accuracy, and overall quality.

Keyword(s): Women's Health, Communication Technology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a BS Degree in Food and Nutrition, a MS Degree in Dietetics and Nutrition, a MS Degree in Health Education and a PhD Degree in Health Education and Health Promotion. I am a full professor at the University of Alabama. I have authored over 75 published articles, many of them related to osteoporosis.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3292.0: Aging Issues in Minority, Rural, and Other Vulnerable Populations