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Original Article Empowering Rural Housewives in Iran: Utilizing the Transtheoretical Model to Increase Physical Activity
Mahboobe Borhani1orcid , Zakieh Sadat Hosseini2corresp_iconorcid , Najme Shahabodin1orcid , Ali Mehri3orcid , Mohadese Kiani1orcid , Marzieh Abedi1orcid

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.23.457 [Accepted]
Published online: January 31, 2024
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1Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. , Gorgan, Iran
2Department of Public Health, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran. , Neyshabur, Iran
3Department of Health Education, Faculty of Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran. , Sabzevar, Iran
Corresponding author:  Zakieh Sadat Hosseini,
Email: hossini88ho@gmail.com
Received: 16 October 2023   • Revised: 9 January 2024   • Accepted: 11 January 2024

Objectives
Rural housewives are integral to household management and family care, yet their sedentary lifestyles present significant health risks. This study used the transtheoretical model (TTM) to investigate strategies that encourage and maintain regular exercise habits among rural housewives.
Methods
A semi-experimental study was conducted in 2021 with 114 housewives aged 30 to 59 who attended rural health centers in Gorgan, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Data collection involved a validated questionnaire that gathered demographic information and constructs of the TTM. The intervention group participated in a comprehensive educational program, which included four 60-minute sessions. Data were collected again 6 months post-intervention and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS software version 19.
Results
The study encompassed women with an average age of 39.75 ± 6.05 years, the majority of whom had educational levels below a diploma, and over 90% were married. We observed strong correlations between the processes of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance. At the outset, there were no significant differences in demographics or model structures between the 2 groups. However, 6 months post-intervention, the intervention group exhibited statistically significant differences in the mean scores of model structures, stages of change, and body mass index (p<0.05).
Conclusions
This study highlights the importance of physical activity training for rural housewives. The findings suggest that the educational intervention, which utilized the TTM, significantly impacted the participants\' model structures and their stages of change.

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JPMPH : Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health