Intention and regular physical activity behavior and associated factors in individuals with coronary artery disease

Abstract

The study measured the intention to engage in physical activities (PA) during hospital stay and Behavior after two months, as the factors associated to both outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. A longitudinal study was conducted in adults diagnosed with coronary artery disease admitted to a reference cardiology hospital, in southern Brazil. The sample was composed by 150 men and women interviewed twice, first during hospital stay and, later, two months after hospital leave. A questionnaire was administered to evaluate demographics, socioeconomics, behavioral and nutritional variables. Psychosocial variables of the Theory of Planned Behavior were also assessed. Mean age of the sample was 58 years (range 30 to 79 years), 51.3% were men and 89.3% were white. At the time of hospitalization, 37.2% of the individuals perform any physical activity for at least 30 minutes a week in the six months preceding the cardiac event and 48.2% showed positive intent to practice. In multivariable analysis, the intention was associated with Perceived Behavioral Control, Perceived Risk and Habit. The prevalence of physical activity two months after hospital discharge was 46.3% and the intention was the only variable determinant of behavior. Actions aiming at behavior change must focus on psychosocial aspects while patients are still in the hospital to improve secondary prevention of coronary by adopting an active behavior.