Volume 22, Issue 1 (4-2026)
J Health Syst Res 2026, 22(1): 148-156 |
Back to browse issues page
Research code: IR.MUQ.REC.1396.114
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Izadkhah F S, Sharifirad G, Mohabi S, Vasali-Monfared E, Barati M, Rahbar A. Investigating the Walking Behavior of Women with Type 2 Diabetes and its Relationship with Health Literacy: The Application of the Health Belief Model. J Health Syst Res 2026; 22 (1) :148-156
URL: http://hsr.mui.ac.ir/article-1-1889-en.html
URL: http://hsr.mui.ac.ir/article-1-1889-en.html
Fatemeh Sadat Izadkhah1 
, Gholamreza Sharifirad2 , Siamak Mohabi2 , Ehsan Vasali-Monfared3 , Maryam Barati4 , Ahmad Rahbar5
, Gholamreza Sharifirad2 , Siamak Mohabi2 , Ehsan Vasali-Monfared3 , Maryam Barati4 , Ahmad Rahbar5
1- PhD Student, Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Professor, Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
3- Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Diseases Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
4- Assistant Professor, Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
5- Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, School of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
2- Professor, Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
3- Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Diseases Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
4- Assistant Professor, Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
5- Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, School of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
Abstract: (161 Views)
Background: Today, the effective role of health literacy and physical activities in health, prevention, and control of many diseases, including diabetes, has been proven. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating walking behavior based on the health belief model (HBM) in women with diabetes and its relationship with health literacy in Qom City, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 300 women with diabetes aged 30 to 50 referring to comprehensive health centers in 2021, who were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected using three questionnaires, including demographics, walking behavior based on the HBM, and health literacy of adults [Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA)], and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests via SPSS software.
Findings: The mean score of walking behavior in women with diabetes was in an average range (50.7%). A positive and significant relationship was observed between overall health literacy and the constructs of awareness, perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, and perceived benefits (P < 0.05). Moreover, a positive and significant relationship was observed between overall health literacy and walking (P < 0.05). The most important source of obtaining information and guidance for walking behavior of women with diabetes was through the doctor’s recommendation (60%).
Conclusion: Increasing health literacy can reduce the impact of perceived barriers (such as weight, age, disease status, duration of disease) on walking behavior. Besides, doctors and health care staff are among the people who influence patients in terms of increasing awareness and guiding for action, and it is necessary to pay attention to this point in increasing the health literacy of patients.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 300 women with diabetes aged 30 to 50 referring to comprehensive health centers in 2021, who were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected using three questionnaires, including demographics, walking behavior based on the HBM, and health literacy of adults [Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA)], and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests via SPSS software.
Findings: The mean score of walking behavior in women with diabetes was in an average range (50.7%). A positive and significant relationship was observed between overall health literacy and the constructs of awareness, perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, and perceived benefits (P < 0.05). Moreover, a positive and significant relationship was observed between overall health literacy and walking (P < 0.05). The most important source of obtaining information and guidance for walking behavior of women with diabetes was through the doctor’s recommendation (60%).
Conclusion: Increasing health literacy can reduce the impact of perceived barriers (such as weight, age, disease status, duration of disease) on walking behavior. Besides, doctors and health care staff are among the people who influence patients in terms of increasing awareness and guiding for action, and it is necessary to pay attention to this point in increasing the health literacy of patients.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
education health and promotion
Received: 2024/09/14 | Accepted: 2024/09/28 | Published: 2026/04/4
Received: 2024/09/14 | Accepted: 2024/09/28 | Published: 2026/04/4
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
