Effective factors of health promotion behaviors based on Health Promotion Model in chemical veterans of Ilam province in 2012-13

Health promotion behaviors can promote physical and psychological health in individuals and population, especially in veterans. Therefore, this study was performed to identify the factors which influence on health promotion behaviors based on Health Promotion Model in chemical veterans in Ilam province. This cross-sectional study was performed in the entire moderate and severs chemical veterans, who they were supported by the Department of Veterans and Martyrs of Ilam province. Information was collected by using standard questionnaires for health-promoting behavior HPLP II (Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II), perceived self-efficacy, perceived barriers, perceived social support, perceived health status and structural perceived benefits. After data collection, all data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software with using suitable statistical tests. The results of the present study in 239 chemical veterans indicated that perceived benefits (P value= 0.002), perceived self-efficacy (P value= 0.000) and perceived social support (P value= 0.002) have positive and direct impacts on health promotion behaviors and physical- chemical veteran type (P value= 0.027) and neurotic-physical-chemical veteran type (P value= 0.022), veteran status (P value= 0.045) and perceived health status (P value= 0.000) have indirect impacts through self-efficacy on health promotion behaviors. Discussion & perceived self-efficacy was identified as the most influential factors on health promotion behaviors and this factor with social support and perceived benefit can be used in improvement of health promotion behavior in chemical veterans especially in veterans with complex types.