A Study on the Level of Awareness and Self-Efficacy of Osteoporosis in Young Women

Choi, Euysoon; Lee, Ju Young

doi:2010.16.2.204

Korean J Women Health Nurs > Volume 16(2); 2010 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2010;16(2):204-214.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2010.16.2.204

A Study on the Level of Awareness and Self-Efficacy of Osteoporosis in Young Women

Euysoon Choi, Ju Young Lee

College of Nursing, Catholic University of Korea, Korea. eschoi@catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to determine the level of awareness and self-efficacy and their relationships to osteoporosis among young women.
METHODS
The participants were 309 young women living in Seoul. The data were collected using questionnaires from July to September 2009. The Osteoporosis Awareness Scale consists of five areas with a total of 31 questions and the Self-efficacy Scale consists of 18 questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test and Pearson's correlation coefficients.
RESULTS
The average level for osteoporosis awareness was 2.22, of a possible 4.00 and significant difference were related to participants' previous encounter with any information about osteoporosis, behavior to prevent osteoporosis, experience of weight control, and frequency of vegetable and calcium-rich foods intake. The average level of self-efficacy for osteoporosis was 2.81, of a possible 4.00 and significant difference related to participants' educational level, occupation, behavior to prevent osteoporosis, smoking, method of weight control, regular exercise, and frequency of vegetable and calcium-rich foods intake. There were significant positive correlations among awareness and self-efficacy about osteoporosis CONCLUSION: This study suggests that health care professionals need to provide effective interventions for young women to enhance their osteoporosis awareness and self-efficacy for preventing osteoporosis.

Key Words: Young women; Osteoporosis; Self-efficacy; Awareness