Identifying factors affecting a healthy lifestyle in the post-COVID-19 era

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A healthy lifestyle is one of the important global concepts in the post-COVID-19 era, which can lead to maintaining and improving the health of societies. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting a healthy lifestyle in the post-COVID-19 era. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current research is a qualitative study that was conducted in the field by theoretical sampling method. The qualitative method used in the current research was Strauss–Corbin’s method. The data collection tool in the current research was a semi-structured interview. The researcher reached theoretical saturation by the end of the 13th interview, and for more certainty, the interviews continued until the 15th interview. The statistical population of the research was all professors and experts with specialized doctorate degrees in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, and finally, 15 people were selected according to the entry and exit criteria for the study. Data analysis was done by summarizing and coding and analyzing the hidden content from expert interviews using MAXQDA software. RESULTS: The factors affecting a healthy lifestyle in the post-COVID-19 era (cultural norms, social norms, biological norms, technological factors, and economic factors) emerged from the intuitive opinions of experts. CONCLUSION: Providing and maintaining health is not a simple task, as it involves biological, individual, familial, cultural, societal, economic, political, and health factors. Promotion of healthy lifestyles is not merely the responsibility of health-related organizations and bodies; rather, they necessitate extensive coordination and empathy among educational, health, cultural, service, and even political institutions and bodies.