Healthy risk awareness motivates fracture prevention behaviour: A grounded theory study of women with osteoporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a public health problem implying an increased risk of fractures. Successful fracture prevention contributes to prevention and treatment of osteoporosis as well as reduction of accidents from falling. Determinants such as lifestyle and environmental factors depend on human behaviour. In order to obtain a deeper understanding of the behavioural changes needed for fracture prevention, the aim of this study was to explore women's experience of living with osteoporosis and related lifestyle changes. In-depth interviews with 13 women diagnosed with osteoporosis were analysed according to the grounded theory method. The data formed a pattern in which developing healthy risk awareness is the key to motivating risk reduction behaviour as part of a fracture preventing lifestyle. The other five categories are elements in achieving healthy risk awareness: accepting having fragile bones, living with fear, needing to learn, and having confidence as well as experiencing a sense of social context. These findings might be useful to understand better the motivational process underpinning fracture-preventing behaviour among women with osteoporosis. © 2007 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved.