Physical activity and its related factors among female employees: applying BASNEF model

The present study is a cross sectional study conducted on 268 employed women in Hamadan university of medical sciences. Census sampling was applied through visiting the various faculties of the medical sciences university in Hamadan. The data were gathered by means of a questionnaire which was divided into three sections: demographic information, BASNEF model constructs and standard International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Then data were analyzed by using statistical tests such as Chi-square,T-test and logistic regression analysis in SPSS software version 16. According to the results, 189 participants (70.5%) had light physical activity, 60 participants (22.4%) had moderate physical activity and 19 participants (7.1%) had severe physical activity. There was a significant relationship between marital status and doing physical activities. Among the BASNEF model constructs, attitude and enabling factors were found to be the most important predicting factors in doing the physical activity. Since enabling and attitude factors are the predicting factors in performing the physical activity, it seems that providing facilities and exercise equipment and offering educational programs for employed women could improve their physical activity performance.