Leila Sabzmakan - PhD Candidate, Department of Health Education, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Mohammad Ali Morowatisharifabad - Associate Professor, Department of Health Education, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Eesa Mohammadi - Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Seid Saied Mazloomy-Mahmoodabad - Professor, Department of Health Education, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Katayoun Rabiei - PhD Candidate, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Mohammad Hassan Naseri - Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran AND Department of Surgery, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
Elham Shakibazadeh - Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
Masoud Mirzaei - Assistant Professor, Yazd Cardiovascular Research Centre, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

BACKGROUND: The PRECEDE model is a useful tool for planers to assess health problems, the behavioral and environmental causes of the problems, and their determinants. This study aims to understand the experiences of patients and health care providers about the behavioral causes of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk factors and their determinants. METHODS: This qualitative study utilized content analysis approach based on the PRECEDE model. The study was conducted for over ۶ months in ۲۰۱۲ at the diabetes units of health centers associated with Alborz University of Medical Sciences, which is located in Karaj, Iran. Data were collected using individual semi-structured interviews with ۵۰ patients and ۱۲ health care providers. Data analysis was performed simultaneously with data collection using the content analysis directed method. RESULTS: Stress, unhealthy eating, and physical inactivity were the behaviors, which predict the risk factors for CVD. Most of the patients considered stress as the most important underlying cause of their illness. In this study, ۱۱۰ of the primary codes were categorized into seven subcategories, including knowledge, attitude, perceived susceptibility, severity, perceived benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy, which were located in the predisposing category of the PRECEDE model. Among these determinants, perceived barriers and self-efficacy for the mentioned behaviors seemed to be of great importance. CONCLUSION: Identifying behavioral determinants will help the planners design future programs and select the most appropriate methods and applications to address these determinants in order to reduce risky behaviors.   Keywords: Behavior, Cardiovascular Diseases, Risk Factors, Qualitative Research