Determinant of Osteoporosis Preventive Behaviors among Perimenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study to Explore the Role of Knowledge and Health Beliefs

Osteoporosis is a silent chronic disease, and many people did not discover it until they were diagnosed with a fracture. Therefore, regular scanning and appropriate Osteoporosis Preventive Behaviors (OPB) are the management cornerstone. OPB is strongly affected by personal knowledge and health beliefs. This study explores the role of knowledge and health beliefs as determinants of OPB among perimenopausal women. This cross-sectional study was performed on 1075 perimenopausal women in Najran City, Saudi Arabia, from January 2023 to March 2023. The data collection instrument is a self-reported questionnaire consisting of basic data, the OPB scale, an osteoporosis knowledge assessment tool, and the osteoporosis health belief scale. The current study results showed that approximately one-quarter (27.8%) of the study participants had high OPB with an overall mean of 20.83 & PLUSMN; 5.08 grade. The group practicing high OPB demonstrated a higher knowledge mean (11.37 & PLUSMN; 2.99) than the low OPB group (9.93 & PLUSMN; 3.51). In addition, all health beliefs constructs significantly differed among the low and high OPB groups (p < 0.05). The participant's age, occupational status, educational level, attendance of training courses, and history of bone fractures were significantly associated with high OPB. Osteoporosis knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, exercises' perceived benefits, and health motivations are positive predictors of high OPB (p < 0.05). The study concluded that osteoporosis-related knowledge and health beliefs-especially perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, exercises' perceived benefits, and health motivations-are positive predictors of high OPB. The health belief model can be an effective tool used to determine high-risk groups who practice low OPB and build need-based educational interventions.

Automated summary

English Summary: Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that often remains undetected until a fracture occurs. Regular scanning and appropriate preventive behaviors are crucial for managing osteoporosis. This study examines the role of knowledge and health beliefs in determining osteoporosis preventive behaviors among perimenopausal women. The results show that a high level of osteoporosis preventive behaviors is associated with greater knowledge and positive health beliefs. Factors such as age, occupation, education, training attendance, and history of bone fractures also influence preventive behaviors. Understanding these factors can help develop targeted educational interventions for high-risk groups with low preventive behaviors.