Özet:

Objective: This study was conducted to determine osteoporosis health beliefs and self-efficacy of Turkish women and to investigate the relationship between women’s characteristics with osteoporosis health beliefs and self-efficacy. Methods: The study was planned as descriptive and cross-sectional study design. A convenience sample of 296 volunteer women who applied to the outpatient clinic of one public hospital was recruited. Data were collected via a questionnaire form, the Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS) and the Osteoporosis Self-Efficacy Scale (OSES). The questionnaire form and scales were completed by the participants. Since the scales used self-reports, the inclusion criteria of this study required participants to be primary school graduates and being 18 age. Results: The participants’ OHBS subscales average scores were susceptibility,18.53±4.74; seriousness,14.68±4.46; benefits of exercise, 23.82±5.06; benefits of calcium intake, 22.12±4.63; barriers to exercise, 16.15±4.75; barriers to calcium intake,14.68±4.46; health motivation, 22.80±4.7. The total OHBS average score was 138.27±17.93. It was determined that the women’s total OSES average score was 790.64±260.96. The subscales of OSES; OSE-Exercise Scale average score was 361.38±162.72, and the OSE-Calcium Scale average score was 429.25±147.57. Conclusion: The levels of health beliefs and self-efficacy regarding osteoporosis of women were low. Nevertheless, women’s perceived benefits scores were found higher than perceived barriers. Nursing can take part in providing education to the public about life-long bone health, and they can also provide information about how to prevent osteoporosis and fracture risk.

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