Female College Students' Knowledge, Self-efficacy and Health Behaviors related to Bone Health.

PURPOSE

This study described female college students' knowledge, self-efficacy and health behaviors related to bone health.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. A total of 214 students were conveniently recruited from a school of nursing in Korea. Participants (mean age=21.2, SD=1.9 years) bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptionmetry. Participants also completed a questionnaire consisting of knowledge test, self-efficacy scale and health behaviors related to bone health. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 17.0 program.

RESULTS

The mean BMD at left femoral neck site was 0.86 g/cm2 and 6.1~12.6%. Results showed that participants were below the expected range of BMD. Level of knowledge (correct rate=54%) and self-efficacy were moderate (mean 54.8 out of 84). More than 84% of subjects drank alcohol more than once a month and 58.4% did participate in regular exercise. Only 7.9% participants took calcium and vitamin-D rich foods every day. There were significant positive correlations between knowledge and self-efficacy (r=.17), health behaviors (r=.14) and self-efficacy and health behaviors (r=.28, all p<.05).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that health care professionals need to provide effective interventions for young women in order to enhance knowledge, self-efficacy and health behaviors related to bone health.