Ensiyeh Norozi - Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Birjand University of Medical sciences, Birjand, Iran
Fatemeh Nazari - Research Committee, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
Mitra Moodi - Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Birjand University of Medical sciences, Birjand, Iran.
Hakimeh Malakimoghadam - Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Department of Public Health, , Faculty of Health, Birjand University of Medical Science, Birjand, Iran.

Aims: Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over ۵۰ years old. This study aims to investigate the status of preventive behaviors against arthritis in middle-aged women in order to take a small step in promoting the health of women in the community. Instruments & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted on ۳۲۵ women aged ۲۹-۵۹ years referring to health centers in Birjand in ۲۰۱۷Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire that covered demographics and preventive behaviours items , entered into SPSS-۱۹ and analyzed using mean and frequency distribution tests. Findings:Totally ۳۲۵ women with mean age of ۳۹.۱ ± ۸.۴ years were studied. The majority of all women, were married and housewives (۸۷% and ۶۹.۵% respectively). A total of ۵۷% of the women did preventive behavior against arthritis. Furthermore, ۳۰% of the women had regular tensile and warm-up exercise, ۴۲% had moderate consumption of vegetables, ۷۱% kept proper sitting posture, ۶۰% rested after heavy work, ۶۱% used proper flooring at home, and finally ۲۱% moved objects in a correct manner. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, A significant proportion of women did not have favorable performance in regarding preventive behaviors of arthritis. Therefore it is suggested that in educational centers, educational classes be held to improve the behaviors of women towards arthritis prevention.

Health behaviors, Behavior, Middle-Aged Women