A randomized trial to promote physical activity during pregnancy based on health belief model

BACKGROUND: The positive effects of physical activities during pregnancy are totally recognized but due to lack of knowledge and negative aspect toward it, physical activities decrease throughout the pregnancy period. To find the appropriate model to enhance physical activity during pregnancy, the education that are focused on health belief constructs about physical activity during pregnancy, were assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a semi-experimental study conducted on 90 pregnant women in their first trimester that were divided into two groups of control and intervention. After assessing health belief model (HBM) constructs and measuring the duration of severe/moderate-intensity) physical activity through a questionnaire, participants were divided into two groups of 45. The intervention group received education about physical activity based on HBM and the control group received dental health education. In the second trimester again, the constructs of HBM and the duration of physical activities were evaluated. Significant level was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Data analysis showed that level of perceived susceptibility/severity and perceived benefits and also the level of appealing physical activity (P < 0.05), had a significant increase in the intervention group after the education, but the mean of the severe/moderate-intensity physical activity with did not rise to 150 min/week. CONCLUSION: Study results showed that education based on HBM could lead to an increase in physical activity during pregnancy by increasing the level of health beliefs in pregnant women, but this increase does not reach the adequate level.