1999 Nov-Dec;20(6):533-46.Health Care Women Int.
Health promotion behaviors of Jordanian women.
, Haddad L, Umlauf MG.al Ma'aitah R
Source
Faculty of Nursing, University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Abstract
Many developing countries are undergoing industrialization and modernization, which has
produced both positive and negative implications for health. This study was designed to adapt
a well-known health measure to an Arab-Muslim population and to derive health promotion
data for primary health care program planning for women in Jordan. A convenience sample
of 512 literate females in Jordan was recruited from community settings such as secondary
schools (teachers), primary health care centers (nursing staff and patients), universities
(faculty and staff), colleges, and office worksites using an Arabic translated version of the
Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) instrument. Subjects scored highest on selfactualization, interpersonal support, and nutrition but scored lower on the exercise and health
responsibility domains. Unmarried women, however, scored higher on exercise and stress
management. These findings support the development of educational efforts to increase
women's awareness of relationships between lifestyle and health for both themselves and for
their families.
PIP:
Many developing countries are undergoing industrialization and modernization, which have
produced both positive and negative implications for health. This study was conducted to
describe relevant health promotion lifestyle behaviors among Jordanian women and to adapt
a well-known health behavior instrument for use among Arab-Muslim populations. A
convenience sample of 512 literate females in Jordan was recruited from community settings
such as secondary schools (teachers), primary health care centers (nursing staff and patients),
universities (faculty and staff), colleges, and office work sites. Using the Arabic translated
version of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile, the researchers collected information from
the convenience sample. Results showed that in general, Jordanian women manifested
intermediate levels of health promotion behaviors in the areas of self-actualization, nutrition,
interpersonal support, and stress management, while they demonstrated much lower levels of
health responsibility and exercise except for the unmarried women. These findings support
the development of educational efforts to increase women's awareness of the relationships
between lifestyle and healthy behaviors.