title: Predicator of Pregnant Women's Self-care Behavior against Air Pollution: An explanation based on the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Air pollution is one of the most important problems of metropolitan cities. The level of air pollution in the city of Ahvaz is so much higher than the standard level, that it can create risks, particularly for pregnant women in the area. The aim of the study was to examine the predictors of self-care behavior of pregnant women against air pollution according to Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) in Ahvaz.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 330 pregnant women who were referred to health care centers in western Ahvaz in 2015 were examined. The data collection tool was a reliable and valid researcher-made questionnaire consisting of three parts: The first part was demographic information, the second part according to the extended parallel process model, included perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, response efficacy, and self-efficacy. The third part examined self-care behavior. Then, the collected data was analyzed by using the software SPSS 16. Data analysis was done by using Spearman's correlation coefficient and linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of study subjects was 26.07 ± 2.3 years, and most (45.5%) were in the second trimester of pregnancy. These findings showed that self-efficacy constructs (β = 0.41) and response efficacy (β= 0.15) have predictive power of self-care behavior (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings showed that self-efficacy and response efficacy, are important factors to predict air pollution self-care behavior. Therefore, to develop a theory-based behavioral modification program for pregnant women, more emphasis on these constructs is recommended.
authors: M.Sc. Student in Health Education, Department of Public Health, Social Determinants of Health Research center, Faculty of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors: Mehrnoosh
authors: M
authors: Jasemzadeh
authors: Ph.D. of Environmental Health Engineering, Professor, Environmental Technologies Research Center, Faculty of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors: Nematallah
authors: N
authors: Jaafarzadeh
authors: MPH, Ph.D. in Health Science, Assistant Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research center, Faculty of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors: Morteza Abdullatif
authors: MA
authors: Khafaie
authors: Ph.D. of Biostatistics, Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors: Amal Saki
authors: AS
authors: Malehi
authors: Ph.D. of Health Education, Assistant Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Education and Health Promotion Department, Faculty of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors: Marzieh
authors: M
authors: Araban
keywords: Ahvaz; Air pollution; Extended parallel process model; Pregnancy; Self-care behavior