The effect of health education intervention based on the theory of planned behavior to promote physical activity in women's health volunteers of Shushtar health centers

The amount of physical activity as a key component of a healthy lifestyle is low than necessary in women. Health educational interventions based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) are effective in promotion of physical activity. This study was performed with aim to evaluate the effect of health educational interventions based on the theory of planned behavior to promote physical activity in women's health volunteers of Shushtar health centers.
This interventional study was performed on 110 health volunteers of Shushtar health centers in 2015. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups of control and intervention. Data were collected by the questionnaire of demographic characteristics, TPB scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and heart rate test (by Polar device). The intervention included three educational sessions and one three-month physical activity program. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 19). P Conducting the health educational program based on TPB led to increased attitude toward the behavior, perceived behavioral control, intention, physical activity and decreased physiological cost index (PCI) 3 months post-intervention in case group (P0.05). Also, subjective norms had no significant change in two group at post-intervention (P>0.05).
Conducting the health educational program based on TPB results in improving physical activity and PCI in health volunteers. It is necessary to design and evaluate educational programs based on theory to increase healthy behaviors in these community.