DOI: https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs22163873 ORIGINAL ARTICLE P J M H S Vol. 16, No. 03, MAR 2022 873 Using the Health Belief Model to Understand Physical Activity Behavior among Older Adult at Geriatric Care Home AHMED MAHDI NIAMA 1 . ARKAN BAHLOL NAJI 2 1 MScN. CHN, College of Nursing / Ph.D. student / University of Baghdad. Iraq 2 Ph.D. CHN, College of Nursing / University of Baghdad. Iraq Correspondence to: Ahmed Mahdi Niama, Email: ahmed.m.niama2020@gmail.com ABSTRACT Background and objectives: PA is a highly successful behavior for preventing and controlling a wide variety of common disorders and it plays an important part in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle as well as the reduction of death rates. The study aimed to The study aimed to assess the physical activity behavior level and to identify the association between study variables and PA. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at geriatric care home to identify the older adult behavior related to physical activity. The study included a random sample of 70 older adults who were selected from geriatric care home in Baghdad City. The study data were collected by use PASE questionnaire and questionnaire of health beliefs bout physical activity The descriptive statistical measures of frequency and percentage were used. Mean and standard deviation were also used. The linear regression, independent-sample t-test, and one-way analysis of variance were also used. Results: The study showed that the majority of the participants in the study were aged between (60-65) years and most of them were males (65.7%), and the majority are singles (38.6%), with respect to the level of education, less than a half are elementary school graduates (45.7%), and more than two fifth are overweight (42.9%). The study finding indicated that the clear majority have a fair physical activity level (92.9%) followed by a small proportion who enjoy a good physical activity level (7.1%). Conclusion: Researchers concluded that using the HBM to understand PA behavior in general provides a better understanding of how such beliefs can be influenced to improve older adults' physical activity engagement. The best concept of the health belief model to understand physical activity behavior was cues to action. Recommendations: The researchers recommended designing illustrated indicative programs of physical activity that take into account individual differences between older adults and those who suffer from diseases or disabilities and programs that promote health beliefs and correct misconceptions about physical activity among older adults. Keywords: Physical Activity (PA) behavior, Old adults, Health Belief Model (HBM) INTRODUCTION Physical activity (PA) is a highly successful behavior for preventing and controlling a wide variety of common diseases. (1) And it plays a fundamental part in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle as well as the reduction of death rates . (2) PA is defined as any physical movement induced by the contraction of skeletal muscles that results in an increase in energy expenditure. It comprises exercise as well as other activities that need bodily movement and that are performed as part of everyday activities such as playing, working, active transportation, domestic chores, and recreational activities. (3) Physical activity is thus classified as a "behavioral category" as it encompasses a variety of behaviors." (4) Regular PA is important to reduces the risk of falling, improves mobility, improves cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, and enhances independence and social interactions while preserving cognitive capabilities. (5) Physical inactivity (PI), on the other hand, is responsible for 3 million deaths per year and 6–10% of major non-communicable disease occurrences. (6) PI is a significant risk factor for the development of chronic disease in older adults. (7) It is considered one of the main causes of early death in developed nations, as it has been linked to the development of numerous chronic illnesses like cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes, and obesity. (8) In spite of the fact that physical activity is critical for healthy aging, physical activity levels frequently decline as people age. (9-10) This is more apparent in the residents of geriatric care homes. This is what was observed through a study conducted by Weeks and his colleagues, where it was found that the levels of physical activity of older adults residing in nursing homes were lower than the levels of activity of older adults who resided in the community. (11) According to what the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends, older people aged 65 and up should engage in 150– 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75– 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity every week, in addition to at least two or more muscle-strengthening activities per week. (12) If older adults are unable to meet the guidelines due to chronic illnesses, they should nevertheless remain as active as their capacities and conditions allow. While we cannot live forever, we can live longer and be healthier in our later years by making a few lifestyle modifications. (13) Behavior modification is critical in the prevention of noncommunicable illnesses. (14) Consistently adhering to health behaviors is essential for health promotion. (15-16) In particular, PA has been highlighted as a crucial behavior to target in order to boost physical and mental health. (17) Health Belief Model (HBM) is one of the earliest models in which behavioral science theories are utilized for health problems and the relationship between behavior and beliefs is demonstrated. (18) And one of the most extensively utilized psychological theories of health behaviour. Health belief model (HBM), encompasses both psychological readiness and normative or environmental influences on health behavior, encompassing six components: perceived susceptibility and severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. It helps to comprehend people's attitudes, behaviors, and educational demands. For older adults in both healthy and chronic conditions, PA can best be understanding by HBM. (19-20) METHODOLOGY descriptive study was conducted at a geriatric care home to understand older adult behavior related to physical activity.. The study included a random sample of 70 older adults who were selected from geriatric care home in Baghdad City. The study instrument includes participants’ sociodemographic sheet of age, gender, and marital status, body mass index (BMI), and level of education. It also includes the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) that measures older adults’ physical activity level developed by Washburn and colleagues. (21) The response to this part is on four levels: (1) never (go to another question), (2) rarely (1-2 days/week), (3) sometimes (3-4 days/week), and (4) frequently (5-7 days/week) in the past 7 days. While the second part includes household activities (3 items). The answer to these items included a dichotomous answer (yes or no). The final total PASE is obtained by multiplying participation in activities by the finite element weights. Finally, subjects were classified into three levels of appropriate physical activity (poor fair , good ). The cut-