Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to explore osteoporosis preventive behavior,
perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis, perceived barriers of osteoporosis preventive
behavior, self-efficacy in osteoporosis prevention and factors predicting osteoporosis
preventive behavior in nurses. The Health Belief Model and Self-Efficacy Theory
were modified as conceptual framework for this study. The subjects included 122
nurses aged more than 35 years and working at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital,
Institute of Aviation medicine, Royal Thai Air Force Nursing College, Division of
Preventive Medicine, or the Technical Division, Thailand. The research instrument
was self-administered questionnaires which included a personal data form, perceived
susceptibility to osteoporosis questionnaire, perceived barriers of osteoporosis
preventive behavior questionnaire, self-efficacy questionnaire, and osteoporosis
preventive behavior questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics,
Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression.
The results showed that the majority of nurses had overall scores of
osteoporosis preventive behavior of 81.1%, perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis of
63.1%, and self-efficacy in osteoporosis prevention of 49.6%, these behaviors and
perceptions were at a moderate level. The majority of them (86.9%) had perceived
barriers of osteoporosis preventive behavior at a low level. Self-efficacy in
osteoporosis prevention, susceptibility to osteoporosis, perceived barriers of
osteoporosis preventive behavior, and Hormone Replacement Therapy were
significant predictors of osteoporosis preventive behavior in nurses. They accounted
for 47.5% of the variance in osteoporosis preventive behavior (p < 0.05).
It is recommended that nurses should be encouraged to improve osteoporosis
preventive behavior. Exercise and modifying nutrition behavior are the best ways for
osteoporosis prevention. Self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, and perceived barrier
are the main contributing factors to prevent osteoporosis and nurses should be made
more aware of all of them