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Men’s health-seeking behaviours regarding bone health after a fragility fracture: a secondary analysis of qualitative data

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Abstract

Summary

In our qualitative study, men with fragility fractures described their spouses as playing an integral role in their health behaviours. Men also described taking risks, preferring not to dwell on the meaning of the fracture and/or their bone health. Communication strategies specific to men about bone health should be developed.

Introduction

We examined men’s experiences and behaviours regarding bone health after a fragility fracture.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of five qualitative studies. In each primary study, male and female participants were interviewed for 1–2 h and asked to describe recommendations they had received for bone health and what they were doing about those recommendations. Maintaining the phenomenological approach of the primary studies, the transcripts of all male participants were re-analyzed to highlight experiences and behaviours particular to men.

Results

Twenty-two men (50–88 years old) were identified. Sixteen lived with a wife, male partner, or family member and the remaining participants lived alone. Participants had sustained hip fractures (n = 7), wrist fractures (n = 5), vertebral fractures (n = 2) and fractures at other locations (n = 8). Fourteen were taking antiresorptive medication at the time of the interview. In general, men with a wife/female partner described these women as playing an integral role in their health behaviours, such as removing tripping hazards and organizing their medication regimen. While participants described giving up activities due to their bone health, they also described taking risks such as drinking too much alcohol and climbing ladders or deliberately refusing to adhere to bone health recommendations. Finally, men did not dwell on the meaning of the fracture and/or their bone health.

Conclusions

Behaviours consistent with those shown in other studies on men were described by our sample. We recommend that future research address these findings in more detail so that communication strategies specific to men about bone health be developed.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) (MOP—119522; CBO-109629; IMH—102813; CGA—86802) and by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) as part of the evaluation of the Fracture Clinic Screening Program of the Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy. Views expressed in this article are those of the authors and may not reflect the opinions of the MOHLTC. Joanna Sale was, in part, funded by a CIHR New Investigator Salary Award (COB—136622). Maureen Ashe acknowledges funding from CIHR and the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research career awards.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Musculoskeletal Health and Outcomes Research, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada

    J. E. M. Sale, D. Beaton & L. Frankel

  2. Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    J. E. M. Sale & D. Beaton

  3. Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    M. C. Ashe

  4. Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    M. C. Ashe

  5. Mobility Program, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    E. Bogoch

  6. Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    E. Bogoch

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  1. J. E. M. Sale
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  2. M. C. Ashe
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  3. D. Beaton
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  4. E. Bogoch
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  5. L. Frankel
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Correspondence to J. E. M. Sale.

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Sale, J.E.M., Ashe, M.C., Beaton, D. et al. Men’s health-seeking behaviours regarding bone health after a fragility fracture: a secondary analysis of qualitative data. Osteoporos Int 27, 3113–3119 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-016-3641-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-016-3641-4

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