According to the World Health Organization(WHO, 2007), 45% of all deaths in older women globally were attributed to Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), and it is predicted, that the number of women who are affected by the disease is set to rise world wide (WHO,2007). The CVD is caused by buildup of atherosclerosis plaque, which result in the narrowed arteries causing insufficient supply of oxygen and nourishment to the heart (Suarez, 2003b). Temporary obstructions in the vital supply contribute to angina pectoris, and severe obstructions cause myocardial infarction (Suarez, Lewis, Krishnan & Young, 2004) .
Sclavo (2001) indicated that a significant factor to the risk of CVD mortality in women over 50 years is menopause. Mendelsohn and Karas (1999) described that depletion of estrogen and increased LDL cholesterol levels at menopause negatively impacts the cardiovascular and metabolism function . Modifiable health damaging activities such as smoking, physical inactivity, poor eating habits and alcohol consumption are likely to cause CVD and other health complications such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension in post-menopausal women( Rich-Edwards, Manson, Hennekens & Buring, 1995).
Personal, psychological and socio-cultural perspectives are said to influence the health-risk behaviour and illness in people(Matarazzo ,1994) . By exploring the health beliefs, perceived barriers and benefits to health seeking behaviour ( Rosenstock, Strecher & Becker, 1988), implementation of health promoting programs, prevention measures and adherence to medical advice can be structured to meet the CVD health requirement in postmenopausal women.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Research Question
3. Methodology
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this research is to explore the health beliefs, psychosocial factors, and knowledge levels that influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) preventative behaviors among postmenopausal women in Malaysia, utilizing the Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework.
- Analysis of CVD risk factors in postmenopausal women.
- Evaluation of the influence of health beliefs on preventative behavior.
- Examination of the role of education, social class, and ethnicity in health knowledge.
- Application of the Health Belief Model (HBM) to the Malaysian context.
- Methodological approach using the Revised-Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R).
Excerpt from the book
The Health Belief Model (HBM)
The Health Belief Model (HBM) which was developed by Becker and Rosenstock (1984, as cited in Janz & Becker, 1984) has been useful in predicting why people fail or adhere to health behaviours . The HBM stipulated that the likelihood of people engage in a health promoting behaviours depend upon the level of perceived severity and vulnerability to the personal health threat within that person (Janz & Becker, 1984). Lovell, Ansari and Parker‘s (2010) research evaluated the benefits and barriers to physical exercise among the female University students in the United Kingdom, and found that the perceived cost associated with the physical exertion in exercise was rated higher than the perceived benefits of inactive lifestyle. Subsequently, the findings prompted for an effective intervention to promote benefits from regular exercise in female university students(Lovell et al., 2010).
According to the HBM, once the perceived threat is understood as imminent, then people evaluate whether changing or adopting a health behaviour is more beneficial than the cost associated with the previous behaviours (Rosenstock, Strecher & Becker, 1988). Sedlak, Doheny, Estok, Zelier and Winchell(2007) studied the impact of osteoporosis prevention behaviours(OPB) on bone density knowledge. The knowledge gained from the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA) increased the perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis, calcium intake and in promoting OPB in postmenopausal women (Sedlak et al., 2007).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This section outlines the global impact of cardiovascular disease on women and highlights the significant knowledge gap regarding health beliefs and preventative behaviors among postmenopausal women in Malaysia.
2. Research Question: This chapter identifies the core inquiry of the study, focusing on the motivators for preventative measures and how demographic variables like ethnicity and education influence health behavior.
3. Methodology: This section details the cross-sectional study design, participant recruitment strategies, and the use of the Revised-Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) to measure health beliefs through 5-point Likert scales.
Keywords
Cardiovascular Disease, CVD, Postmenopausal Women, Malaysia, Health Belief Model, HBM, Preventative Behavior, Illness Perception Questionnaire, IPQ-R, Psychosocial Factors, Health Education, Risk Awareness, Lifestyle, Socio-cultural, Chronic Inflammation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on identifying the motivating factors behind the adoption of cardiovascular disease (CVD) preventative behaviors among postmenopausal women in Malaysia.
What are the central themes of the study?
The study centers on the intersection of physiological risks, health beliefs, psychosocial elements, and the role of cultural norms in shaping preventative health practices.
What is the primary research question?
The research asks what motivates postmenopausal women in Malaysia to adopt CVD preventative measures and how variables such as education, social class, and ethnicity influence their knowledge and behavior.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The study utilizes a cross-sectional design incorporating a self-completion survey questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Revised-Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R).
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the prevalence of CVD, the theoretical application of the HBM, previous research on health behaviors, and the specific methodology used to evaluate participant data.
How would you characterize this work using keywords?
The work is characterized by terms such as Cardiovascular Disease, Postmenopausal Women, Health Belief Model, Psychosocial Factors, and Preventative Behavior.
Why is the focus specifically on Malaysia?
The study addresses a notable lack of research concerning the health beliefs and experiences of postmenopausal women specifically within the Malaysian demographic.
What role does the Health Belief Model play in this study?
The HBM serves as the framework for understanding how perceived severity, vulnerability, benefits, and barriers influence whether these women adhere to health-promoting behaviors.
How is the data analyzed?
Data will be processed using multivariate analysis to explore the relationships between CVD perception, health beliefs, and demographic variables.
What does the IPQ-R measure in this context?
The IPQ-R measures five components: Identity of symptoms, perceived causes, consequences of the illness, timeline for persistence, and beliefs regarding personal cure or control over the illness.
- Citation du texte
- Raja Sree R Subramaniam (Auteur), 2012, The role of health beliefs. Motivators for cardiovascular health preventative behaviours among postmenopausal women in Malaysia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/313657
