| Relationships among Knowledge, Self-efficacy, and Health Behavior of Osteoporosis and Fall Prevention in Old Aged Women |
|
Sukhee Ahn, Jiwon Oh |
|
College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea. ohjw@cnu.ac.kr |
|
|
| Abstract |
PURPOSE
This study was conducted among older women to (1) identify their levels of knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behavior in dealing with osteoporosis and falls and (2) explore the relationships between the study variables based on a health-beliefs model.
METHODS
With a cross-sectional survey design, we recruited 94 older women of ages from 65 to 74 at a community setting via convenience sampling. The study participants completed two sets of structured questionnaires (on osteoporosis and fall prevention).
RESULTS
The general characteristics of the study participants demonstrated that the women were at high risk for osteoporosis and falls. Overall, the levels of knowledge about osteoporosis and falls, their self-efficacy, and their preventive behaviors were average or slightly above. The relationships between the study variables showed that self-efficacy and healthy behavior, such as doing osteoporosis exercise, eating an osteoporosis diet, and avoiding falls, were related (r=38, p < .001; r=.33, p < .05; r=.26, p < .05). In addition, there were statistically significant relationships between osteoporosis and fall prevention knowledge (r=.37~.46, p < .001), self-efficacy (r=.50~.53, p < .001), and preventive behaviors (r=.50, p < .001).
CONCLUSION
The women's scores on osteoporosis and fall knowledge, self-efficacy, and preventive behaviors suggest an urgent need for the implementation of educational programs for older women. A close relationship between self-efficacy and health behaviors implies a need for transformation of a traditional one-way lecture form. |
| Key Words:
Osteoporosis; Falls; Aged; Women; Health behavior; Self-efficacy |
|
PDF Links
Full text via DOI
Download Citation
