Assessment of health promoting lifestyle status and its socio-demographic predictors in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Improving and modifying lifestyle is necessary for health maintenance and promotion. Modification of lifestyle can have an important role in the long-term health of women with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the status of health promoting lifestyle and its socio-demographic predictors in women with PCOS.
Methods & Materials: This analytical descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 174 women with PCOS referred to gynecology and infertility clinics in Urmia-Iran, in 2015. The data were collected through the socio-demographic and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression were used to analyze the data through SPSS software version 21.
The mean (standard deviation) of total score of the health promoting lifestyle was 2.2 (0.3) out of 4. The highest mean score was in nutrition subscale [2.9 (0.5)] and the lowest mean score was in the subscale of stress control [1.2 (0.5)]. Based on the multivariate linear regression model, the variables of BMI, spouse’s education level, the first supporter and menstrual bleeding amount were predictors of the health promoting lifestyle in women with PCOS.
Considering that the mean of total score of the health promoting lifestyle and some of its subscales were in the middle of the range of possible scores, it is necessary that besides other therapies, the improvement of health promoting lifestyle in women with PCOS, according to the influencing socio-demographic determinants, be on the agenda of health providers.