Self-efficacy of osteoporosis preventive behaviors and its predictors in Iranian adolescents

Background and Aim : Almost all the bone mass in females is accumulated during adolescence andespecially in the years immediately following menstruation. Self-efficacy plays an important role inmoderating the relationship between knowledge and behavior. This study aimed to determine the selfefficacyof osteoporosis preventive behaviors and its predictors in female high school students.Methods : This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 330 female high schoolstudents in Saveh, Iran during 2016–2017. A two-stage cluster sampling method was used to select theparticipants. Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Osteoporosis KnowledgeTest (OKT) and the Osteoporosis Self-Efficacy Scale (OSES). A general linear model was used todetermine the self-efficacy predictors of osteoporosis preventive behaviors.Results : The mean [standard deviation (SD)] of the total OKT score was 11.08 (4.08) of attainable rangefrom 0 to 32. The mean (SD) of the total OSES score was 121.97 (37.36) of attainable range from 0 to 200.The mean (SD) of the exercise and calcium subscales of OSES were 58.39 (22.56) and 63.57 (21.02),respectively. There were significant relationships between the total OKT score with the total OSES score(r = 0.16, p = 0.003) and its subscales, including exercise (r = 0.16, p = 0.002) and calcium (r = 0.11, p =0.03) scores. According to the adjusted general linear model, the variables of economic status, educationallevel and osteoporosis knowledge were predictors of the self-efficacy in the studied students.Conclusion : Findings suggested that most of the students had moderate levels of knowledge and selfefficacyregarding osteoporosis preventive behaviors; therefore, improving the knowledge and self-efficacyof this group can play a significant role in promoting their health.

کلیدواژه ها:

adolescent ، knowledge ، osteoporosis ، predictor ، self-efficacy