Investigating Preventive Nutrition Behaviors for Cardiovascular Diseases Based on Health Belief Model in Women in City of Behbahan

Today, cardiovascular diseases are one of the main causes of mortality around the world including in Iran. One of the important factors in these diseases is healthy nutrition behaviors. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate preventive nutrition behaviors for cardiovascular diseases in women in city of Behbahan based on health belief model.

This descriptive study was carried out in year 1394 (March 2015 to March 2016) on 63 housewives visiting healthcare centers in city of Behbahan. Data gathering tool was a valid and reliable questionnaire based on health belief components filled by participants in the study. Gathered data was analyzed using ANOVA and Pearson correlation test at the significance level of P

The average knowledge score of women was 68.57±14.25 while the average scores for sensitivity and perceived intensity were 55.65±10.02 and 58.63±12.67 respectively. The average scores for perceived benefits, perceived barriers and self-sufficiency were 63.68±13.19, 59.46±15.83 and 43.84±7.27 respectively. The difference of average scores between people with and without previous diet experiences was not significant in any of the dimensions. There was also no significant difference between average scores of people with and without family history of cardiovascular diseases (P>0.05).

Based on awareness and knowledge level of women, it seems that implementation of programs based on educational models can help reduce the number of cardiovascular diseases.