Stages of change for physical activity in sulfur mustard victims 20 years after exposure

Mustard gas (MG) is one of the well-known chemical substances that have been used as chemical warfare agents. In the present study, the stage of change of physical activity and the total physical activity min/ week of victims exposed to MG in Sardasht, Iran (1988) 20 years after exposure were measured. The aim of this study was to investigate the proportion of victims in each stage of change and the causative factors associated with reduced physical activity such as MG-related pulmonary complications in a sample of the victims. In a historical cohort study, 357 victims with a history of mustard gas exposure were studied. An algorithm was applied to evaluate the stage of change in physical activity, which was defined as being engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most days per week. Physical activity was measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). The distribution of the stage of change for physical activity was as follows: 60.5% in precontemplation, 20.7% in contemplation, 3.9% in preparation, 0.8% in action and 14.1% in maintenance. There was a significant difference between the control and exposed groups in pre-adoption stages (precontemplation stage, contemplation stage and preparation stage) and post-adoption stages (action stage and maintenance stage) of physical activity (P < 0.001). The findings of the present study can contribute to improving health behaviors and to the administration of health promotion programs in the victim populations.