Authors
1 Department of Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery
2 Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery Research Care Center,
3 Department of Nursing Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Nowadays with respect to the automation of the lifestyle, immobility statistics
in middle‑aged women has increased and they are at risk for complications of immobility. One of
the models used to identify factors associated with physical activity is Health Belief Model utilized
in different age and different cultural backgrounds and different results have been obtained from
those studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting on physical activity
in middle‑aged women using Health Belief Model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive‑correlation study was conducted on 224 middle‑aged
women referring to health centers in Isfahan. Health Belief Model structures including perceived
susceptibility and severity, perceived barriers and benefits, and self‑efficacy were measured
by questionnaire and physical activity was assessed using the international physical activity
questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation
coefficient test and regression analysis.
RESULTS: There wasn’t significant correlation between perceived susceptibility (P = 0.263, r = 0.075)
and perceived severity with physical activity duration (P = 0.127, r = 0.058) but there was positive
and weak correlation between physical activity duration with perceived benefits (P = 0.001 and
r = 0.26) and perceived self‑efficacy (P = 0.001, r = 0.54) and had weak and inverse correlation with
perceived barriers (P = 0.001, r = ‑0.25). Regression analysis also showed that from among all the
Health Belief Model structures just self‑efficacy structure has influenced on behavior independently
and other structures are affected by it.
CONCLUSION: The obtained results implied on a correlation between benefits, barriers and perceived
self‑efficacy with and moderate physical activity. Therefore it is necessary to develop appropriate
educational programs with emphasis on structures of Health Belief Model that has the maximum
impact on physical activity in middle‑aged women.
Keywords
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