Factors Influencing the Health Promotion in Female-Headed Households: Golden Triangle of Money, Time and Energy

Female heads of household are among vulnerable groups in society who are faced with unsuitable economic status and multiple roles and they cannot promote their own health. The aim of this study was to explore and describe effective factors on women heads of household’s health promotion. This is a qualitative study which was conducted using Strauss and Corbin’s (1998)approach to grounded theory. Nineteen female heads of household were recruited. Data were gathered by semi structured interviews. Purposive sampling was conducted and continued by theoretical sampling. Findings indicated that remainder of resources (remainder of money, time and energy) and contextual factors (personal and socio-economic characteristics) were effective factors on these women's health promotion.Often these women tended to allocate their available resources primarily to their children and the members under their headship and then to all life-related issues. So, depending on the adequacy of the three resources of money, time and energy, they carried out different health promotion activities andthis could jeopardize their health. To help these women improve their health status,we recommended that the government, non-governmental organizations and health care professionals provide them with required resources and increase their knowledge by holding training sessions.