Authors
Department of Reproductive Health, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The positive effects of physical activities during pregnancy are totally recognized
but due to lack of knowledge and negative aspect toward it, physical activities decrease throughout
the pregnancy period. To find the appropriate model to enhance physical activity during pregnancy,
the education that are focused on health belief constructs about physical activity during pregnancy,
were assessed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a semi‑experimental study conducted on 90 pregnant
women in their first trimester that were divided into two groups of control and intervention.
After assessing health belief model (HBM) constructs and measuring the duration of severe/
moderate‑intensity) physical activity through a questionnaire, participants were divided into
two groups of 45. The intervention group received education about physical activity based on
HBM and the control group received dental health education. In the second trimester again, the
constructs of HBM and the duration of physical activities were evaluated. Significant level was
set at P < 0.05.
RESULTS: Data analysis showed that level of perceived susceptibility/severity and perceived
benefits and also the level of appealing physical activity (P < 0.05), had a significant increase in
the intervention group after the education, but the mean of the severe/moderate‑intensity physical
activity with did not rise to 150 min/week.
CONCLUSION: Study results showed that education based on HBM could lead to an increase in
physical activity during pregnancy by increasing the level of health beliefs in pregnant women, but
this increase does not reach the adequate level.
Keywords
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