Health Promoting Behaviors and Self-efficacy of Physical Activity During Pregnancy: An Interventional Study

Health-promoting behaviors during pregnancy are those that encourage or improve health-related quality of life, both maternal and foetal. They also decrease risk factors. The present study aims to investigate the effect of health education on health-promoting behaviors in pregnant women in Mahshahr, southern Iran
In this experimental study, 78 pregnant women were selected using multi-stage sampling and were randomly divided into 2 groups each including 39 subjects. The intervention group learned physical activity and health behaviors based on the constructs of self-efficacy through 6 sessions. However, no interventions were performed for the control group. The data were collected using a questionnaire containing demographic information, health-promoting lifestyle, and Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES) before and one month after the intervention. Then, the data were analyzed using t test, chi-square test, and regression analysis.
After the intervention, the mean score of health-promoting behaviors, subscale and physical activity self-efficacy increased in the intervention group, which was significantly different from the control group (P The results of current study supported the effectiveness of training and revealed that training based on self-efficacy theory led to an increase in the mean score of health-promoting behaviors, particularly physical activity and motivational skills (self-control and feeling of self-efficiency). Thus, by creating and maintaining regular health-promoting behaviors, maternal and fetal health and well-being can be guaranteed.