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Spiritual Health and Physical Activity Among Iranian Pregnant Women

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Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between spiritual health and physical activity among Iranian pregnant women during 2015. A cross-sectional descriptive-analytic design was adopted. A total number of 411 participants were selected by convenience sampling from Iranian women who regularly attended health centers for prenatal care. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile questionnaire, 2nd edition. (Spiritual health and physical activity are two components of health-promoting lifestyle.) The data were analyzed, using descriptive statistics, t test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and regression. p values <0.05 were considered significant. The mean age of pregnant women was 27.90 ± 6.03 years. Spiritual health had the highest score (25.86 ± 4.7) and physical activity had the lowest score (11.31 ± 3.27), among six Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile subscales. In fact, there was a statistically significant correlation between spiritual health and physical activity (p = 0.000). According to results, pregnant women have higher spiritual health and lower physical activity scores. There was a statistically significant correlation between spiritual health and physical activity. The findings of this study can be used in prenatal care, midwifery education, and maternal health policies.

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Acknowledgements

This article is the result of my Master of Science thesis. We appreciate Urmia University of Medical Science for financial support. Our thanks go to the women who participated in the survey, as well as to the health centers for their permission alongside their assistance with us.

Funding

Our financial source in the current study was Urmia University of Medical Sciences. It financially supported us during research, such as providing research design, transportation, and duplicating papers.

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Correspondence to Elham Sadeghi.

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All authors report no conflicts of interest with the topic matter of this manuscript, as described in the instructions to authors.

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Rabiepoor, S., Sadeghi, E. & Sayyadi, H. Spiritual Health and Physical Activity Among Iranian Pregnant Women. J Relig Health 58, 506–515 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0487-9

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