Factors influencing physical activity among postpartum Iranian women

Abstract

Background: Postpartum women are a population at risk for sedentary living. Physical activity (PA) prior to pregnancy may be effective in predicting similar behaviour in the postpartum period. Objective: To test a composite version of the extended transtheoretical model (TTM) by adding ‘past behaviour’ in order to predict PA behaviour among postpartum Iranian women. Methods: Participants were 300 primiparous postpartum women from health clinics in Arak, Iran who completed the Iranian versions of the TTM, past behaviour and PA behaviour questionnaires. The mean age of the participants was 24.85 years ( SD = 4.4, range = 15–41). Data were analysed using bivariate correlation and path analysis. Results: The first revised model accounted for 43% of the variance in current PA and represented a good data fit (χ2 = 7.45, df = 4, p = 0.114). There were significant direct pathways between PA and stage of change (β = 0.51), pros (β = 0.30), and cons (β = −0.31), and significant indirect effects of self-efficacy (β = .39) and processes of change (β = 0.34). The final model, which included the direct effects of past behaviour (β = 0.28), explained 50% of the variance in PA and represented a good data fit (χ2 = 8.30, df = 5, p = 0.14). Additionally, in this model pros (β = 0.25) and cons (β = −0.26) are directly related to PA, and self-efficacy (β = 0.39) and processes of change (β = 0.34) are indirectly related to PA. Conclusion: The findings of this study support the application of TTM to PA behaviour change among Iranian postpartum women. However, adding past behaviour to the model increases our understanding of the population’s PA and may help the planning of more efficient interventions for promoting PA.

Effect of Theory-Based Training Intervention on Physical Activity and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized Control Trial

“…The questionnaire measures a client's perceived benefits of (pros: 10 items) and the barriers (cons: 6 items) to PA (18). The validity and reliability of mentioned questionnaires have been confirmed in Iran by Roozbahani et al (21).…”

“…SE: SE was measured using the ESE scale developed by Bandura (20). The scale has 18 items scored from 0 to 100 with higher scores representing greater confidence in ability to exercise (21).…”

Physical Activity Status Among Women Referred to Health Centers in Izeh, Iran

“…The mean scores of perceived barriers were higher among women whose husbands were civil servants with higher education levels compared to those among women whose husbands were self-employed without higher education levels. In Roozbahani's study (20) on physical activity behavior among pregnant women, no significant relationship was seen between husband's education and the wife's physical activity.…”

Influence of a Trans-Theoretical Model Based Intervention on Physical Activity in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomised Clinical Trial

“…Patients were asked to show which options best described their current level of PA (walking, biking, or playing ball for 30 minutes or more, 5 days a week) as active more than 6 months (maintenance), active less than 6 months (action), not active on a regular basis but occasionally engaged in activities and planning to start next month on a regular basis (preparation), not active but may start in the next 6 months (contemplation), not active and not planning to start in the next 6 months (pre-contemplation) (20). The validity and reliability of the questionnaire have been confirmed in Iran by Roozbahani (20). The PA stages of change were measured before, 3 and 6 months after intervention.…”

“…Participants responded to the questions on a scale ranging from 1 to 5 (never to repeatedly) A higher score shows more frequent use of processes of change to perform PA score range (1 -5) (21). The validity and reliability of the questionnaire have been confirmed in Iran by Roozbahani (20). Processes of change was measured before, 3 and 6 months after intervention.…”