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Health Information–Seeking Behavior and Self-Care in Women With Osteoporosis: A Qualitative Study Publisher Pubmed



Ansari A1 ; Fahimfar N2 ; Noruzi A1 ; Fahimifar S1 ; Hajivalizadeh F3 ; Ostovar A2 ; Larijani B4 ; Sanjari M2, 4
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Information Science and Knowledge Studies, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Crossroad of Chamran and Jalal Al Ahmad Highway, Next to Tarbiat Modarres Metro Station, Tehran, 1411713114, Iran
  2. 2. Osteoporosis Research Center, Endocrinology & Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Jalal Al Ahmad Highway, Next to Shariati Hospital, Tehran, 1411713137, Iran
  3. 3. Musculoskeletal Disease Department, Center for Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health of Iran, Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Tehran, 14199943471, Iran
  4. 4. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology & Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Jalal Al Ahmad Highway, Next to Shariati Hospital, Tehran, 1411713137, Iran

Source: Archives of Osteoporosis Published:2021


Abstract

Summary: The main findings of this study on the self-care behaviors contain “identification of knowledge gaps,” “established networking for seeking information,” “information from trust-to-distrust,” “information-seeking inhibiting factors,” “information-seeking facilitating factors,” and “self-care behaviors based on required knowledge.” Purpose: Health information–seeking behavior affects self-care and could promote quality of life and life expectancy. This study aimed at assessing health information–seeking and self-care behaviors of women with osteoporosis in Iran. Methods: This study was conducted using a content analysis approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 women with osteoporosis aged above 50 years. The participants were selected by purposeful sampling. The data were analyzed by the conventional content analysis method using MAXQdata software version 10. Results: From in-depth descriptions of the participants’ experiences, 246 primary codes were extracted. Subsequently, constant comparison analysis was done and 35 sub-categories and 6 main categories have appeared from the data. Discussion: Based on the experiences of women with osteoporosis, they received limited information from the health care providers, so they were seeking reliable information sources to meet their information needs. They obtained most of their information from other patients, family members, and network of friends. In the process of seeking information, they face various barriers such as lack of time in the health care team that affect their ability to self-care. Conclusion: The results can guide health policymakers, patient educators, health care providers, information specialists, and patients and their families. © 2021, International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation.