Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

  Background and Objectives: Osteoporosis, as a disease, is characterized by low bone mass and micro architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to enlarged bone fragility and a consequent increase in the risk of fracture. The aim of this study was to measure health belief model construct in preventive behavior about osteoporosis in pregnant women in Arak city.

  Materials and Methods: This descriptive, analytical study was carried out on 120 pregnant women referring to health centers in diffeaent zones of Arak city with random sampling. Data collection was based on the Health Belief Model (susceptibility, severity, perceived benefits and barriers, self-efficacy and cues to action) and the checklist of the practice mothers about walking and nutrition. The data were analyzed using t-test and Pearson correlation.

  Results: Findings showed that the mean of scores of nutrition and regular walking was 22.85 and 19.14 respectively. There was a positive correlation among perceived benefits, sensitivity, severity, perceived barriers and self efficacy with the performance of mothers about prevention of osteoporosis. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between perceived barrier and practice (p=0.001). So the higher the knowledge of the perceived severity and self-efficacy of the woman, the higher the performance of women about prevention of osteoporosis . Although this factor was based on the low level of perceived barrier (p=0.001).

  Conclusion: Necessary training programs based on health belief model for enhancing susceptibility, perceived severity, self efficacy and decrease of perceived barrier in pregnancy for pregnant women in order doing to preven of osteoporosis is recommended.

  Key words: Health Belief Model, Women, Osteoporosis, Practice

  Funding : This research was funded by the Arak university of medical science.

  Conflict of interest : Non Declared.

  Ethical approval : The Ethical Committee of Arak university of medical science approved the study.

  How to cite this article : Khorsandi J , Shamsi M, Jahani F. The Survey of Practice About Prevention of Osteoporosis Based on Health Belief Model in Pregnant Women in Arak City . J Rafsanjan Univ Med Scie 2013 12(1): 35-46. [Farsi]