Volume 2, Issue 4 (2014)                   Health Educ Health Promot 2014, 2(4): 21-30 | Back to browse issues page

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Falahi A, Nemat Shahrbabaki B, Pirakalathanan P. Exploring Risk Factors for Osteoporosis from Kurdish-Iranian Women’s Perceptions. Health Educ Health Promot 2014; 2 (4) :21-30
URL: http://hehp.modares.ac.ir/article-5-5657-en.html
1- Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health, School of Health, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
2- M.Sc. in Health Services Management, Health Center of Sanandaj, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
3- Principal Medical Officer, Sonoa Health, Melbourne, Australia
Abstract:   (5296 Views)
Aim: By understanding women’s perceptions of the risk factors for osteoporosis, improved preventive programs can be designed to modify misconceptions and improve understanding of the condition. This study aimed to explore Kurdish-Iranian women’s perceptions of the risk factors for osteoporosis. Methods: Sixteen women with osteoporosis referred to osteoporosis screening units at the private and governmental centers were interviewed through purposeful sampling between January and July 2015. Inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of osteoporosis for at least six months, T-score below -2.5, age 50 years and over, and ability to attend and participate in the study. All focus groups and face-to-face semi-structured interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. To confirm precision of the data, the following criteria were employed: credibility, conformability, dependability and transformability. Findings: Overall, the perceived risk factors were broadly classified into non-modifiable and modifiable factors. Non-modifiable factors included the sub-themes of genetic factors and hormonal changes. Modifiable factors comprised the sub-themes of limited legal and administrative systems, cultural-environmental and socio-economic factors, lack of understanding the disease and its treatment, and poor health priorities. Conclusion: The risk factors for osteoporosis from women's perceptions can be classified into non-modifiable and modifiable factors. These results can be useful to design a gender-specific risk assessment tool and develop strategies and intervention programs for preventing osteoporosis in women.
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Article Type: Original Article | Subject: Health
Received: 2015/12/25 | Accepted: 2014/12/1 | Published: 2017/02/1

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