Predictors of osteoporosis prevention behavior (physical activity) in women aged 30-50 in Khorramabad: A Trans-theoretical Model study

Osteoporosis is a major public health priority in Iran and the world. Recently, prevention of osteoporosis has become the goal of many health professionals. Behavior change is one of the most powerful strategies for osteoporosis prevention. This study aimed to determine the predictors of osteoporosis prevention behavior in women aged 30-50 in Khorramabad. This descriptive-inferential cross-sectional study included 269 women aged 30-50 selected from all the health centers of Khorramabad according to the inclusion criteria of the study and through cluster and systematic sampling method. Data gathering tools were valid and reliable questionnaires of demographic information, stages of change, decisional balance, self-efficacy, and physical activity. Chi-square test, Spearman correlation coefficient, and logistic regression were applied to analyze the data. The mean age of the subjects was 38.72±7.003, and the mean light weekly physical activity was 38.83±56.400. The results also showed that the construct of self-efficacy had the highest predictive power of preventive behavior. The results showed that self-efficacy among the constructs of the Trans-theoretical Model was the only predictive construct for osteoporosis prevention behavior. Therefore, the findings of this study can serve as a base for educational interventions in behavioral changes to prevent osteoporosis by health authorities.