Health-Promoting Behaviors and Self-efficacy of Health Behaviors in Ischemic Stroke Patients, Rafsanjan, 2019

Background: In recent decades, non-communicable diseases have been increasing for various reasons. This study aimed to evaluate health-promoting behaviors (HPBs) and self-efficacy of health behaviors (SHEBs) in patients with ischemic stroke admitted to the neurology ward. Methods: The statistical population of this cross-sectional descriptive study included all patients with ischemic stroke during the first six months of 2019. The participants completed a demographic checklist, SHEBs questionnaire, and HPBs questionnaire. Independent t-tests, analysis of variance, and correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Results: Data analysis showed that interpersonal support and stress scores were higher in men, and scores of taking responsibility, exercise, and HPBs were higher in non-natives. Stress score was higher in smokers, drug users, and people with primary education (P<0.05). Also, the physical self-efficacy of men and all dimensions of SHEBs of non-natives were higher compared to other groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: There are apparent differences in HPBs and self-efficacy among stroke patients regarding gender, nativity, smoking, and substance use that should be considered to help them improve their HPBs and health self-efficacy.