The Survey of Osteoporosis Preventive Behaviors in Sample of Iranian Women: Application Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory

Background and Purpose: Investigating factors affecting the adoption of preventive behaviors in women with osteoporosis using patterns that identify the effective factors which influence and reinforce on behavior is necessary. This study aims to evaluate the preventive treatment of osteoporosis in women in Fasa, Fars Province of Iran's southeastern city, using the health belief model and social cognitive theory in 2014. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 401 women 30 to 50 years old, who were covered by Fasa health centers had been randomly selected. Scale factors for health belief model (perceived susceptibility, severity, threat, benefits, barriers and self-efficacy, practice guidelines) and the structure of self-regulation and social support of social cognitive theory, and function of feeding and walking were determined to prevent osteoporosis in women. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. Results: The average age of women was 40.9± 6.2 years. The variables of perceived susceptibility, motivation, social support and self-regulation for walking behavior and variables of perceived sensitivity and self-regulation for feeding behavior were predicted. There was a significant association between walking performance and perceived susceptibility (r=0.136, p=0.007), motivation (r=.120, p=0.016), social support (r=0.068, p=0.030) and Self-regulation (r=0.118, p=0.018). In this study, there was a significant association between nutritional performance and perceived susceptibility (r=0.068, p=0.003), Self-efficacy (r=0.039, p=0.042) ,self-regulation (r=0.069, p=0.070) and there was a significant inverse correlation with perceived barriers (r=-0.047, p=0.050). Conclusions: This study indicated that health belief model, self-regulatory structures and social support in predicting feeding and walking behavior of participants for the prevention of osteoporosis is necessary. Hence, these models can be used as a framework for designing and implementing educational interventions for the prevention of osteoporosis in women.