오의금1,2, 유재용1, 이정은1,2, 고일선1,2, 추상희1,2

1연세대학교 간호대학, 2연세대학교 간호정책연구소

Background: With the rapid growth of the elderly population,
osteoporosis has become a major health problem
worldwide. Although health knowledge and self-efficacy are
important assets to facilitate healthy behaviors and
disease prevention, such information as it relates to
individuals and their bone health is limited. The purpose of
this study was to assess the levels of knowledge, self-
efficacy, and health behaviors on promoting bone health
in middle-aged Korean women.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey study. A
convenience sampling of middle-aged women (≥40 years)
was done at a community health center in Korea. Bone
mineral density was measured by dual energy X-ray
absorptiometry
with the DEXXUM T. The level of knowledge was measured
with the Knowledge of Osteoporosis
Scale, and self-efficacy with the Osteoporosis Self-efficacy
Scale. A questionnaire for bone health behaviors
was developed for this study. Collected data were analyzed
through descriptive methods, independent t-test,
analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation analysis.
Results: A total of 150 middle-aged women whose mean age
was 59.8±11.5 years participated in the study.
Most (74%) were menopausal. Less than one-quarter of
participants (22.7%) had osteoporosis and less than
half (42%) had osteopenia based on the T-score at the left
femur neck site. Level of knowledge (mean score,
10.35) and self-efficacy (mean score, 47.67) ranged from low
to moderate. Intake of calcium and vitamin D-rich
foods was insufficient in our subjects. Bone health
behaviors had significant positive relationships with
knowledge
(r=0.22, P=0.008) and self-efficacy (r=0.29, P<0.001) on
promoting bone health.
Conclusions: These results indicate that educational
interventions are needed to enhance knowledge and
confidence
and to encourage middle-aged women to engage in bone
health behaviors.

Korean J Health Promot 2012;12(2):90-99
Keywords: Bone, Health, Knowledge, Self efficacy, Health
behavior, Middle aged, Women