Abstract

Aim/background: The aim of this study was to determine healthy lifestyle behaviors and preventive health applied among women ages 18-64 women.
Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed in December 2014 in the two family health centers with 249 women. To determine healthy lifestyle behaviors of women, the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-48 items were used.
Results: The total average score from the scale was 115.78±36.20 and the average scores from the items were 2.57±0.46. The highest average scores were obtained from interpersonal support sub dimension, the lowest were from exercise. Age groups, working status, smoking, physical activity, body mass index and general health perceptions were the effective variables on scores. Women who didn't measured their blood-glucose and cholesterol level, who didn't practice self-breast examination and mammography during the last year, had significantly lower health responsibility, self-actualization, exercise, and stress management scores.
Conclusion: In the present study we found healthy lifestyle behaviors of women in “moderate levels”. Scores obtained from scale were low in women who had risky health behaviors and didn’t implement preventive health applications. In preventive health care, health education, and counselling services should be given to women aged 18-64, women should be encouraged to participate in health promoting programmes.

Key words: Health promotion, lifesytle risk reduction, women’s health, preventive health.

Article Language: Turkish English