The aims of this pilot study were to (1) determine if having a family history of osteoporosis impacts knowledge, health beliefs, and self-efficacy regarding osteoporosis among perimenopausal women aged 42–52 and to (2) describe the impact of an osteoporosis-specific educational intervention had on the knowledge, health beliefs, and self-efficacy of this population. Participants completed three surveys measuring knowledge, health beliefs, and self-efficacy related to osteoporosis before and two months after the educational program. At baseline, no differences were noted in knowledge of osteoporosis among women with and without a family history of osteoporosis, although women with a family history perceived a greater susceptibility for developing osteoporosis than women without the family history. Findings indicate that both groups increased in knowledge of osteoporosis ( ). Benefits of calcium increased in the women without a family history of osteoporosis ( ) and benefits of exercise increase in women with a family history of osteoporosis ( ). There were no significant statistical findings regarding self-efficacy between the two groups of women. Findings indicate that an osteoporosis-specific educational program improves perimenopausal women’s knowledge and some health beliefs. 1. Introduction Osteoporosis is a silent metabolic process that can potentially cause fracture, disability, and increased mortality [1–3]. Osteoporosis is a significant clinical and public health concern [3]. The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) estimates that ten million individuals already have osteoporosis and almost 34 million have low bone mass, which places them at increased risk for developing osteoporosis [2]. There are a disproportionate number of women with the disease. Of the ten million Americans estimated to have osteoporosis, eight million are women [2]. A woman’s risk of breaking her hip due to osteoporosis is equal to her risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers combined [2]. There are many lifestyle risk factors for developing bone loss and osteoporosis such as a diet with poor calcium intake, lack of exercise, tobacco use, and alcohol intake [1, 2]. Additionally, genetics is a factor. Women 35 years and older with a family history of osteoporosis have almost twice the risk of developing the disease, compared to women without a family history [4]. The NOF estimated that 20% of non-Hispanic Caucasian and Asian women aged 50 and older have osteoporosis, and 52% are estimated to have low bone mass [2]. The NOF reports that one in every two Caucasian women
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