The effect of Health Belief Model on promoting preventive behaviors of osteoporosis among rural women of Malaye

    Background: Osteoporosis is a worldwide public health problem with an increasing prevalence. Evidence suggests that adopting changes on some life styles can prevent or delay the development of osteoporosis.   Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a health education intervention based on the Health Belief Model in promoting osteoporosis preventive behaviors in rural women.   Methods: This study was an interventional research with two groups, experimental (n=55) and control (n=55) groups selected from 2 health houses in the city of Malayer (Iran) in 2009. The experimental group participated in four health education sessions based on components of the Health Belief Model. Data collection tool was a questionnaire including 37 questions based on HBM, demographic information, and preventive behaviors of osteoporosis. Data were collected at two points before intervention and two month after intervention. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 15.   Findings: Before intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding the health belief constructs however, following intervention, the independent sample t-test was indicative of a significant difference between two groups (P≤0.05) regarding the perceived susceptibility and severity, perceived benefits and barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. By increasing the score of different components of Health Belief Model, the adoption of preventive actions of osteoporosis increased.   Conclusion: The findings of this survey confirmed the efficiency of Health Belief Model in adopting preventive actions of osteoporosis.