Fish consumption based on transtheoretical model among housewives

BACKGROUND: 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. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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). CONCLUSION: 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.