Open Access, Peer-reviewed
eISSN 2093-758X
    J Korean Acad Nurs. 2014 Oct;44(5):525-533. Korean.
    Published online Oct 31, 2014.
    https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2014.44.5.525
    © 2014 Korean Society of Nursing Science
    Original Article

    A Predictive Model of Fall Prevention Behaviors in Postmenopausal Women

    Hyun-Jung Jang,1 and Sukhee Ahn2
      • 1Department of Nursing, Kkottongnae University, Chungju, Korea.
      • 2College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
    • Address reprint requests to: Ahn, Sukhee. College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, 266 Munwha-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-747, Korea. Tel: +82-42-580-8324, Fax: +82-42-580-8309, Email: sukheeahn@cnu.ac.kr
    Received June 02, 2014; Revised June 19, 2014; Accepted August 18, 2014.

    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NoDerivs License. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/) If the original work is properly cited and retained without any modification or reproduction, it can be used and re-distributed in any format and medium.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    This study was done to propose and test a predictive model that would explain and predict fall prevention behaviors in postmenopausal women. The health belief model was the theoretical basis to aid development of a nursing intervention fall prevention program.

    Methods

    Data for 421 postmenopausal women were selected from an original data set using a survey design. The structural equation model was tested for 3 constructs: modifying factors, expectation factors, and threat factors. Expectation factors were measured as relative perceived benefit (perceived benefit minus perceived barrier), self-efficacy, and health motivation; threat factors, as perceived susceptibility (fear of falling) and perceived severity (avoiding activity for fear of falling); and modifying factors: level of education and knowledge about fall prevention. Data were analyzed using SPSS Windows and AMOS program.

    Results

    Mean age was 55.7 years (range 45-64), and 19.7% had experienced a fall within the past year. Fall prevention behaviors were explained by expectation and threat factors indicating significant direct effects. Mediating effect of health beliefs was significant in the relationship between modifying factors and fall prevention behaviors. The proposed model explained 33% of the variance.

    Conclusion

    Results indicate that fall prevention education should include knowledge, expectation, and threat factors based on health belief model.

    Keywords
    Falls; Fracture; Prevention; Menopause; Health behavior

    Figures

    Figure 1
    Theoretical framework for this study.

    Figure 2
    Standardized estimates and explained variances in model for fall prevention behaviors.

    Tables

    Table 1
    Descriptive Statistics and Relationships among Study Variables for Fall Prevention Behaviors (N=421)

    Table 2
    Effects of Explanatory Variables on Fall Prevention Behaviors (N=421)

    Notes

    This manuscript is based on a part of the first author's doctoral dissertation from Chungnam National University.

    This study was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education (No. NRF-2010-0023125).

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    MeSH Terms
    Models, Theoretical*
    Accidental Falls/prevention & control*
    Body Mass Index
    Body Weight
    Female
    Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
    Humans
    Middle Aged
    Postmenopause
    Women/psychology*
    Metrics
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