title: The experiences of women of reproductive age regarding health-promoting behaviours: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health promotion is critical for community and family health. Health-promoting behaviours provide solutions for maintaining and promoting health. Although several studies have addressed the frequency and different types of health-promoting behaviours in women, little information is available about their experiences. This study aimed to explore the experiences of women of reproductive age regarding health-promoting behaviours.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, which was conducted in Tehran, Iran, 15 females, who were selected purposefully, participated in individual in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using conventional content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine main categories were derived from the analysis, including establishing an appropriate eating pattern, establishing a balanced rest/activity pattern, spirituality, stress management, personal sensitivity and responsibility, establishing an appropriate pattern of social interactions, practicing safe and healthy recreations, feeling improvement in physical-functional health, and feeling improvement in emotional and psychological health. The first 7 categories represent the nature and types of real health-promoting behaviours in women of reproductive age, whereas the last 2 constitute feeling and understanding of the implementation of these behaviours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study findings show that the women experience improvement in physical-functional, emotional, and psychological health by implementing health-promoting behaviours. It is therefore necessary to introduce strategies in the context of the community culture for improving different aspects of health-promoting behaviours in women of reproductive age to maintain and improve their overall health.
authors: Department of Reproductive Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Azam
authors: A
authors: Baheiraei
authors: Mojgan
authors: M
authors: Mirghafourvand
authors: Eesa
authors: E
authors: Mohammadi
authors: Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh
authors: SM
authors: Charandabi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult