Health beliefs and attitudes toward the prevention of osteoporosis in older women.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-2001
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: A pilot study to determine health belief factors associated with osteoporosis prevention behaviors in peri-and postmenopausal women.
DESIGN: We administered a survey to a convenience sample of 60 women aged 40-95 years old in an urban family practice center and an associated retirement community. The self-reported questionnaire addressed demographics, osteoporosis risk factors, current preventive behaviors for osteoporosis, and health beliefs.
RESULTS: The majority of women (89%) believed that osteoporosis is a serious condition, but only 29% perceived a personal susceptibility. Women were less concerned about osteoporosis when compared with cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurologic disorders. Only 40% of women were taking active measures to prevent osteoporosis. There was no significant relationship between active osteoporosis prevention behaviors and five health belief factors (motivation, barrier, active participant in health care, frustration, and benefit) (p >or= 0.43). However, active behaviors to prevent osteoporosis were found to correlate with the single item "I am worried about developing osteoporosis" (p = 0.03). Most women surveyed would be willing to exercise and take calcium and a multivitamin to prevent osteoporosis.
CONCLUSION: Few women are taking active measures to prevent osteoporosis despite their belief that it is a serious condition. Our data suggest that most women do not perceive a personal susceptibility to the disease. Only women who reported actively worrying about developing osteoporosis were more likely to be engaged in significant osteoporosis preventive behaviors.
Volume
8
Issue
5
First Page
372
Last Page
376
ISSN
1072-3714
Published In/Presented At
Novielli, K., Hojat, M., Park, P. K., Gonnella, J. S., & Veloski, J. J. (2001). Change of interest in surgery during medical school: a comparison of men and women. Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 76(10 Suppl), S58–S61. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001888-200110001-00020
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
11528365
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article