Fish consumption based on transtheoretical model among housewives

Consuming fish plays a key role in human health and prevention of diseases. The aim of this study was using transtheoretical model to analyze the trend of fish consumption among women.

In this descriptive‑analytic research, 383 housewives who referred to health centers in Bandar Abbas were selected through a stratified sampling method. Data were collected by a questionnaire to determine fish consumption based on transtheoretical model and analyzed by using SPSS software version 19.0. with the significance level of P < 0.05.

Nearly 11.7% of the patients were found to be at the precontemplation stage; 3.9% were at the contemplation stage; 13.6% were at the preparation stage; 7.3% showed to be at the action stage, and 63.4% were at the maintenance stage. The results showed a significant relation of the constructs of the model with the stages of change of consuming one or two meals of fish a week. Moving through the stages of change from the precontemplation stage to maintenance stage was accompanied by an increase in decisional balance, self‑efficacy, and processes of change (P < 0.05).

It is suggested that in designing educational interventions in the light of this model, more emphasis is placed on perceived benefits and self‑efficacy. The processes of change are advised to be used more often, and perceived barriers to fish consumption need to be reduced as far as possible.