Promoting Physical Activity in Women Referred to Health Centers Applying the Trans-theoretical Model

Despite all its advantages, many people still engage less physical activity in their leisure time. In this context, a theory-based intervention to promote physical activity in women referred to Izeh health centers was designed. In a quasi-experimental study, a random sample of 120 women was selected and randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. A valid and reliable questionnaire including data on stages of change, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy and processes of change were used to collect the data. Data were gathered at baseline. educational intervention including lecture and group discussion was implemented for the experimental group. After 3-month follow-up, data were collected again and analyzed via SPSS16 using t test and Chi-square at the level of 0.05 significance. Although before the intervention, there was no significant association between experimental group and control, after the intervention, stage transition was significant between the two groups (p<0.05). The mean scores of the variables increased: self-efficacy (from 19.38±4.03 to 23.60±2.79), benefits (from 11.95±5.18 to 19.95±6.03), processes of change (from 33±7.57 to 47.23±5.01). This difference was not significant for barriers between two groups (p>0.05). Implementing interventional programs based on Trans-theoretical Model could improve physical activity behavior.