Open AccessA path analysis model suggesting the association of information and beliefs with self-efficacy in osteoporosis prevention among middle-aged and older community residents in urban Shanghai, China
Author(s) -
Yingchao Cui,
Zuo-Feng Xu,
Yue Shi,
WU Ying-yan,
Cheng Lv,
Qishun Shen,
Tian Shen,
Yong Cai
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0211893
Subject(s) - china , path analysis (statistics) , gerontology , medicine , association (psychology) , shanghai china , demography , osteoporosis , young adult , environmental health , psychology , geography , computer science , sociology , archaeology , machine learning , regional science , psychotherapist
Background Osteoporosis is a chronic disease whose prevention is more effective than treatment, but it may be necessary to change people’s self-efficacy to prevent this condition. This article aimed to study the pathway among information, beliefs and self-efficacy in osteoporosis prevention, and support further intervention. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among community residents over 40 years old from two volunteer communities in urban Shanghai, China. Of 450 middle-aged and older community residents who volunteered to participate in the study, 421 (93.5%) finished the field survey effectively. Results 62.9% of the residents were females. Their mean age was 64.4 ± 11.2 years. The residents showed low knowledge of osteoporosis-related information, and the mean percentage of correct response was just 61.2%. In univariate analysis, information (univariate β = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.15–0.38) and beliefs (univariate β = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.25–0.38) were associated with self-efficacy. Multivariate analysis showed that information (multiple β = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.09–0.36) and belief (multiple β = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.23–0.36) remained significant. And in the path analysis, self-efficacy was significantly predicted by beliefs (β = 0.81, p<0.001). Conclusions The study highlighted the urgency of conducting the osteoporosis preventive health promotion among middle-aged and older people as their lack of information and low level of beliefs and self-efficacy about osteoporosis prevention. Future interventions should focus on improving beliefs, especially perceived benefits, perceived threats, and action clues, on osteoporosis prevention in this group.