EFFECT OF PLANNED HEALTH EDUCATION ON HEALTHY NUTRITION, EXERCISE ATTITUDE, AND PERCEIVED STRESS IN VULNERABLE WOMEN

Background This study aimed to determine the effect of planned health education provided to women in the vulnerable group on healthy nutrition, exercise attitude, and perceived stress. Material and methods This study employed a one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design. The sample consisted of vulnerable women (n=30). The participants received a health education program. Data was collected using the Sociodemographic Information Form, Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition, Health Belief Model Scale for Exercise, and Perceived Stress Scale. Results Of the participants, 73.3% were married, 63.3% were high school graduates, 73.3% had a moderate income level, the mean age was 41.27±9.61 years. After the education program, participants’ scores in the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition subscales, namely nutritional knowledge, positive nutrition, negative nutrition, and the total score, were found to be higher (p<0.005); participants’ scores in the Health Belief Model Scale for Exercise subscales, namely health improvement, cognitive health, continuity, and the total score, were found to be higher (<i>p</i><0.005); and participants’ scores in the Perceived Stress Scale subscales, namely perceived insufficient self-efficacy, perceived stress/discomfort, and the total score, were found to be lower (<i>p</i><0.005). Conclusions The study indicated that the planned health education provided to women improved their attitudes towards healthy nutrition and their beliefs about exercise, while reducing their perceived stress.