Predicting Preventive Behaviors of Osteoporosis Based on Health Belief Model Among Menopausal Women: A Descriptive-correlational Study

Osteoporosis is a prevalent disease among menopausal women. Adopting healthy behaviors and lifestyles is one of the important ways to prevent this health problem. Despite the positive effects of these behaviors in preventing and controlling it, women's practice of these behaviors remains low. Therefore, identifying the causes of this is essential, and using health promotion models and theories is helpful. The present study aimed to predict osteoporosis preventive behaviors through the Health Belief Model (HBM) among menopausal women.

This study is a descriptive and correlational study that was conducted on postmenopausal women aged 50 and older referring to health centers in Urmia, located in northwest Iran. The study aimed to to determine the factors affecting women's behavior based on the HBM. The sample size was estimated to be 200 people based on the G-Power software, and the samples were selected and entered into the study using a multi-stage random sampling method. Data were collected using a valid and reliable three-part questionnaire: demographic information; a standard tool for knowledge and HBM constructs; and the two domains of dietary habits and physical activity from the Walker Lifestyle Questionnaire as preventive behaviors for osteoporosis. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.

The results indicated a positive and significant relationship between HBM components and osteoporosis preventive behaviors. Regression analysis revealed that perceived susceptibility (β = 0.137, p = 0.031), perceived benefits (β = 0.169, p = 0.006), self-efficacy (β = 0.182, p = 0.005), knowledge (β = 0.329, p = 0.001), age (β = –0.178, p = 0.002), and education (β = 0.184, p = 0.002) emerged as significant predictors, collectively accounting for 42.5% of the variance in preventive behaviors.

The HBM effectively predicts preventive behaviors for osteoporosis. As such, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy, and women's knowledge were factors affecting women's behavior.

It is recommended that health educators use this model to design educational interventions to enhance osteoporosis preventive behaviors among menopausal women.