Predictive factors acting on health promotion behavior of menopausic women at Cali, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: Women have raised life hope in last decades; this coincides with their vital cycle of peri- post-menopausal apparition. This period present complex changes in it’s by a psycho, sociocultural dimension that implies a position of the women role and negative repercussions in their life quality. Aim: To determine the predictive factors influencing the health promoter behaviors (HPB) in peri- post-menopausal women of Cali, Colombia, according to Pender’s model. Material and methods: A descriptive design, non observational, transversal and correlational, of a bietapic conglomerate sample of 650 peri- post-menopausal women between 45 and 60 years old was applied. HPB and biopsychosociocultural factors were studied. The following instruments were applied: scale of health promoter life style, perception of self-efficiency scale, and health state and peri- post-menopausal knowledge scale. Results: Of the women 54% obtained a HPB higher than the average. The strongest HPB in the peri- post-menopausal women were: spiritual growth (64.3%), interpersonal relationships (60.7%), stress management (57.9%), nutrition (57.3%), health responsibility (54.9%) and a deficient physical activity (49%). According to the multiple regression model, the factors suffering more variability, 37.1%, were: health state perception (R2=21%, p< 0.0001); self-efficacy perception (R2=20.5%, p< 0.0001), formal education (R2=8.3%, p< 0.0001); autonomy in hormonal therapy use (R=3.9%, p< 0.003); peri- post-menopausal knowledge (R2=2.1%, p< 0.001); diet (R2=1.6%, p< 0.006); peri- post-menopausal situation (R2=0.9%, p< 0.03). Conclusions: HPB were evaluated with sufficiency and these factors are very important in nursing care.