Evaluation of Health Promoting Lifestyle Habits during Pandemic Period, a Cross Sectional Study

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic imposed lifestyle changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health-promoting lifestyle habits of individuals who applied to a primary care center during the pandemic period.Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with the voluntary participation of 524 individuals. The data was collected through a research questionnaire form and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Scale (HPLS).Results: Women accounted for 58.2% (n=305) of all participants, 45.2% of them (n=237) had chronic disease and 32.1% (n=168) were smoking. Mean age was 41.26 +/- 14.28 (min:18, max:75) years old. Among these participants, %53.2 had equal income to their expenses (n=279), 52.3% experienced sleep pattern changes (n=274), 35.7% had COVID-19 disease and 66.6% vaccinated for COVID-19. The mean HPLS score was 162.75 +/- 8.10 points. Interpersonal relationships, stress management and total HPLS scores were higher in women (p<0.05). Physical activity, nutrition, stress management, total scores were higher in those without chronic diseases. Health responsibility scores of those vaccinated by COVID-19 vaccine, was higher (p=0.04). Stress management scores were lower in those with decreased sleep duration during the pandemic (p=0.050).Conclusions: This study revealed that the participants' HPLS scores were low. It is necessary to continuously develop and support healthy lifestyle behaviors in areas such as physical activity, nutrition, spiritual development, and health responsibility. In the pandemic period, while we better understood the importance of protecting health, studies that will contribute the development of healthy lifestyle behaviors should be accelerated.