Table I.

Informants in the interview study.

Informant number Social background	Bone fractures and perceived relation to osteoporosis	Bone scan result as described by informants
1. Cooperates in husband's silversmith shop Married	2 fractures – rib and shoulder (related to osteoporosis after the bone scan)	Osteoporosis
2. Office work Widow	1 fracture – wrist (related to osteoporosis)	Osteoporosis in the back, hips normal
3. Early retirement pension Married	None	Low bone mass, primarily the back
4. Full-time housewife, 9–10 years school Married	3 fractures – ankle, wrist, and shoulder (the shoulder was related to osteoporosis)	Reduced bone mass
5. Academic, teacher at the University Married	1 fracture – wrist (not related to osteoporosis)	Slightly reduced bone mass
6. Zone therapy Married	None	Slightly reduced bone mass
7. Earlier office work Actually without work Divorced	None	Slightly reduced bone mass
8. Early retirement pension, because of slipped disk Worked in a kitchen Widow	1 fracture – wrist (not related to osteoporosis)	Slightly reduced bone mass
9. Early retirement pension Earlier office work Married	1 fracture – wrist (related to osteoporosis?)	Slightly reduced bone mass
10. Early retirement pension Divorced	None	Slightly reduced bone mass
11. Early retirement pension Still working some hours as assistant nurse Married	None	Slightly reduced bone mass
12. Full-time housewife taking care of grandchildren Earlier half-time in a general store Married	None	A tendency to osteoporosis
13. Early retirement pension Earlier worked in a dress shop Widow	None	A tendency to osteoporosis
14. Early retirement pension Earlier teacher Married	2 fractures – ankle and clavicle (related to osteoporosis?)	A tendency to osteoporosis
15. Cooperates in husband's firm Married	None	Almost normal bone mass
16. Teacher Early retirement pension Married	None	Almost normal bone mass