Applying The Theory of Planned Behavior to Promote the Cardiovascular Preventive Nutritional Behaviors in Southeast Women of Iran

Unhealthy nutrition is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to determine the effect of an educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior in promoting the preventive nutritional behaviors of cardiovascular disease.

In this quasi-experimental study 199 women using the multistage sampling method were divided into intervention (n=100) and control (n=99) groups. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire including demographic and specific questions. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed. The data using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage) and analytic statistics (Independent and paired t-tests, analysis of covariance, and chi-square test) were analyzed and the educational program was designed. Training program including the face-to-face education and distributing the educational message and clips in the experimental group conducted and after two months the data collected again and were analyzed (P≤ 0.05). 

Before the intervention, no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of demographic variables, Attitude, Perceived behavioral control, behavioral intention, and behavior. After the intervention, the mean scores of the attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and intention in the experimental group meaningfully were increased (P ≤ 0.05).

Educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior promotes the preventive nutritional behaviors of cardiovascular disease in women