Study on the osteoporosis knowledge, concern about osteoporosis factors, and health behavior to prevent osteoporosis of women in Jeonbuk area

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify women’s osteoporosis knowledge, concerns about osteoporosis factors, and health behavior as well as to examine the relationship between these variables. Methods: The participants were 394 women in the Jeonbuk area. The data were analyzed using a t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test, and hierarchical regression analysis with SPSS v. 24.0. Results: The score for osteoporosis knowledge was 6.21 points out of a possible 12, the score for concern about osteoporosis factors was 26.50 points out of a possible 40. The score for the health behavior was 57.26 points out of a possible 85. The knowledge showed significant differences according age (p < 0.01), income (p < 0.05), education level (p < 0.01), drinking milk in childhood (p < 0.05), health interest (p < 0.05), and osteoporosis information (p < 0.01). The concern showed significant differences according to age (p < 0.001), income (p < 0.05), health interest (p < 0.001), osteoporosis information (p < 0.001), family history of osteoporosis (p < 0.05), and calcium medications (p < 0.001). The health behavior showed significant differences according to age (p < 0.001), income (p < 0.01), drinking milk in childhood (p < 0.05), health interest (p < 0.001), osteoporosis information (p < 0.01), and calcium medications (p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed that the concern about osteoporosis factors was the most influential variable on health behavior, followed by health interest of the subjects, age, and the osteoporosis knowledge. Conclusion: Therefore, it is necessary to consider educational programs on increasing interest in osteoporosis according to the age and health for improving the health behavior to prevent osteoporosis.