Objective:

This paper aims to assess illness perceptions associated with healthy lifestyle habits in patients with chronic diseases in Medellin and surrounding municipalities.

Method:

A prospective correlational study was conducted using a brief illness perceptions questionnaire (BIPQ), a patient’s health questionnaire (PHQ-9), a generalized anxiety questionnaire (GAD-7) and a healthy habits questionnaire. 51 patients with different chronic diseases were sampled, illness such as: migraine, breast cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and primary arterial hypertension. The assessment of healthy lifestyle habits (HLH) was done three months later.

Results:

It was found, as a result, that people with chronic diseases understand their illness (M = 8.09, S.D. = 2.48); some of them perceive that their actions (M = 7.06, S.D. = 2.79) and others perceive that their treatment (M = 7.89, S.D. = 2.69) control their diseases and that they have a chronic nature (M = 7.49, S.D. = 3.16). Significant correlations were found between HLH and the perception of consequences in a negative way, and the emotional identity and concern in a positive way (p < 0.05). A linear relationship was found between consequences (Beta = 0.391) and the emotional concern (Beta = 0.311) for the disease with HLH, F (5. 45) = 2.707, p < 0.05. The proportion of depression and anxiety in the sample was similar to general population.

Conclusions:

The perception that a disease has negative consequences and the concern for it leads to the implementation of healthy behaviors.

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