Health promotion and the health belief model

Osteoporosis and the Health Belief Model

Discuss the Health Belief Model

The Health Belief Model was initially a systematic mode of predicating and thus preventing health behavior. By focusing on the relationship between the practices and the behaviors of health services it aimed to create a theoretical presentation of the same. Later it was revised to motivate the general health for the 'purpose of distinguishing illness and sick-role behavior from health behavior'. [Brown, 1999] The HBM is essentially a concept that integrates psychological motivators with physical and social settings. Its said to have been initiated in 1952 by three socio-psychologists, Godfrey Hochbaum, Stephen Kegels and Irwin Rosenstock. During the 1950's the society realized a need to prevent disease rather than cure it. The U.S. Public Health Service was more concerned with preventing outbreaks which would have a nationwide impact than with trying to solve and cure the symptoms that individuals came up with. The HBM was created under the influence of Kurt Lewin who suggested that the perceiver could determine the actions of the people of the world. Through a series of studies over a decade the originators of the HBM conducted systematic studies in order to present a mode of behavior that would help prevent health problems. Consider that in 1952 Godfrey Hochbaum presented the first research study that would provide the identification of symptoms pointing towards a chest x-ray in order for the early diagnosis of TB. [Brown, 1999]

Describe the concept of interest

Women have always been considered second citizens and though now, they have become equals in all walks of society in the U.S. there health is still neglected in many parts of the world. Thus, taking into consideration women and the problems they face the concept of interest taken here would be Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that is often neglected as its symptoms do not make themselves known until its too late. Its known as a silent disease and is asymptomatic "characterized by low bone mass and microachitectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increase in the risk of fracture" (National Osteoporosis Foundation [NOF], 1999a). Yet, statistics suggest that there are almost 10 million effected individuals in the U.S. alone with almost double that number at risk for the disease out of which 80% are women (NOF, 1999b).

These notations suggest that the disease has to be prevented rather than cured and thus knowledge of the disease must be spread. Motivation of the individuals to fear the disease through knowledge would aid in predicting the disease or preventing it before it is diagnosed. The risk factors include:

Old age

Post Menopausal women

Caucasian

Poor health

Dementia

Slight frame

Genetics

Yet, these can be controlled through a healthier lifestyle, calcium vitamin D intake, decreasing smoking etc.

Discuss how this selected concept is operationalized within the selected model

Considering that the disease can be modified and controlled it would seem that by preventing the diseases and ensuring knowledge of the risk factors they could be controlled. The HBM would aid in allowing the knowledge to be spread through creating a motivational awareness. Most people believe that osteoporosis is a disease that comes with old age and so is inevitable. However, with proper care the disease ca be prevented.

There are tests that can be taken like the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test which screens and diagnoses osteoporosis and osteopenia (low bone mass). The tests measure the bone density and can then predict fractures associated with the disease and (Semla, 1999) prevent them. The HBM includes the concepts and/or components of the susceptibility of risk, the perceived severity, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and cue to action and self-efficacy. By focusing on the barriers and the benefits of the components the negative consequences can be predicted and this prevented. Thus, the whole theory would be based on perceiving or predicting a certain mode of behavior. The operational model would then include three basic concepts:

Perceived barrier: The perceived negative consequences of adopting a behavior. Perceived benefits: The perceived positive consequences of adopting a behavior.

Self-efficacy: The motivational factor that allows confidence to adopt a behavior (Bandura, 1977)

Apply this model and concept to a clinical scenario

The HBM is based on the belief that the patients need a psychological motivator to prevent health problems. This can be as simple as fear of the disease to knowledge of the disease that helps them prevent the problem before it occurs. By combining the social and physical life of a person the model aims to create and promote health awareness. This model is advantageous for the whole family and community on a larger scale as it helps prevent problems that may be genetic and thus common with the same family. Consider a woman who is prone to Osteoporosis but does not know the problem is preventable. She is diagnosed and spends her life trying to prevent a fracture. Then her daughter has the same disease. Through a preventative measure and the use of the HBM other females in the same family can be checked and their risk factors assessed and health awareness for the diseases promoted.