The Effect of an Integrated Educational Intervention Based on the Health Belief Model and Health Literacy on Physical Activity in Women with Type 2 Diabetes

Balesh zar, Nooshin; Fallahi, Arezoo; Nili, Sairan; Bahmani, Afshin

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The Effect of an Integrated Educational Intervention Based on the Health Belief Model and Health Literacy on Physical Activity in Women with Type 2 Diabetes

Nooshin Balesh zar

, Arezoo Fallahi ^*

, Sairan Nili

, Afshin Bahmani

Abstract: (14 Views)

Background and Objective: Physical activity is one of the principles of diabetes management and one of the most effective non-pharmacological treatments. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of an educational intervention based on the integrated health belief model with health literacy on promoting physical activity among women with type 2 diabetes in Tehran in 2024.

Materials and Method: In the present experimental study, 200 women with type 2 diabetes referring to comprehensive urban health service centers were included in the study through random sampling using a block method in two intervention and control groups. The study tools were a demographic information checklist and standard questionnaires on the health belief model, health literacy, and physical activity, which were completed at two times before the educational intervention and two months after the intervention. For the intervention group, five 45-minute sessions were held weekly, according to the educational model. All data were analyzed in SPSS26 software using statistical tests (mean and standard deviation, independent and paired t-test).

Results: The mean and standard deviation of the participants' age was 87.53 ± 10.80 years. In the intervention group, the mean score of the constructs of perceived sensitivity (P=0.008), perceived benefits (P=0.031), perceived barriers (P=0.001), self-efficacy (P=0.001), action guide (P=0.050), and health literacy (P=0.001) showed a statistically significant difference after the intervention. In the intervention group, the mean score of physical activity (P=0.292) did not show a statistically significant difference compared to before the intervention.

Conclusion: Education based on health belief model structures led to improvements in the model structures in order to increase physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes, Health Literacy, Women, Physical Activity, Health Belief Model

Type of Study: Research | Subject: Health Education & Health Promotion
Received: 2025/05/20 | Accepted: 2025/09/28

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