TYPES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ITS PERCEIVED BENEFITS AMONG THE SECRETARIAL STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is any bodily movement produced by the contraction of skeletal muscles that increase energy expenditure above the basal (i.e. resting) level. Studies have been conducted over the years on various intervention strategies to help inactive people become active in Nigeria. Much of these studies have focused on physical exercise, but few studies have been conducted on benefits of participating in different types of physical activity among secretarial staff. The objective of the study therefore was to investigate the types of PA secretarial staff of the University of Ibadan (UI) involved in and the perceived benefit of PA. A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted among 209 consenting secretarial staff of UI. A validated self-administered semi–structured questionnaire used for the data collection included an 18-point maximum score on PA knowledge and a 10-point maximum score on perceived benefit of PA. Questions on knowledge were on types of PA, practice of PA, and factors that influence the practice of PA. Knowledge scores <9, 9-14 and >14-18 were classified as poor, fair and good respectively. Perception scores of <5 and 5-10 were classified as negative and positive perceptions respectively. A 9-point maximum score on PA practice participation of <5 and 5-9 were classified as physically inactive and physically active respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi square test at α=0.05. Respondents’ mean age was 48.3±20.3 years. Majority (64.1%) were female, 85.6% were married, and 86.1% were Christians. Majority (81.8%) were Yoruba ethnicity. 86.5% had tertiary education and 73.0% were senior staff. On Knowledge of PA 25.4%, 28.7% and 45.9% were classified as poor, fair and good respectively. Most respondents (78.5%) got the correct definition of PA while just a few (17.7%) knew that it is not the same as exercise. Most respondents (84.7%) used walking as PA while 21.1% use swimming. Based on PA practice score, 61.1% were physically inactive. Majority (72.7%) of the respondents strongly believed that PA was a waste of time and harmless. On perception (19.6%) had negative perception while majority (80.4%) had positive perception of PA. On perceived benefit (66.0%) mentioned control of cholesterol level in the body and lower risk for heart problem while (52.2%) mentioned increase muscle strength. A total of 51.7% reported that lack of time prevented them from participating in PA. There was a significant association between level of education and their interest in physical activity. However, there was no significant association between gender and knowledge of PA. Walking was the most populous type of PA practiced by the secretarial staff, but generally there was low participation of other types of PA based on my findings, therefore health education to encourage more participation to walk should be done. To motivate the staff, walking group can be organized by the institution so that they can have scheduled times for walk days as this will increase their participation in physical activity. This will result in reduction of risk of non-communicable diseases among the secretarial staff.