Level of Physical Activity of Health Professionals in a District Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Overview

Journal S Afr J Physiother

Specialty Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2018 Aug 24

PMID 30135872

Citations 10

Authors

Siyabonga H Kunene

Nomathemba P Taukobong

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Health professionals have a role to play in the promotion of physical activity in order to prevent the ever-increasing burden of diseases associated with physical inactivity. Determination of the level of physical activity amongst health professionals managing patients presenting with various lifestyle-related conditions is most pertinent.

Object: The purpose of the present study was to ascertain the level of physical activity of health professionals at Estcourt Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Method: A cross-sectional survey of 109 health professionals was conducted over a period of three consecutive weeks in 2012. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and other related data such as socio-demographic characteristics was used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics to determine relationships between variables. An analysis guide was used to determine the level of physical activity with reference to the GPAQ guidelines recommended by the Word Health Organization using the metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-minutes per week indicators.

Results: The overall level of physical activity was: 31% of participants were high, with MET-minutes/week ≥ 3000; 29% were moderate, with MET-minutes/week ≥ 600; and 40% were low, with MET-minutes/week < 600. Although black women predominantly reported low levels of physical activity, age was found to be significantly related to the level of physical activity ( = 0.000, = -0.637).

Conclusion: An intervention to promote physical activity amongst health professionals is essential to promote healthy living.

Citing Articles

A Comparative Study of Physical Activity Levels Between Rural and Urban Settings in Zimbabwe.

Manyeruke N, Vermaak K, Mudonhi N, Nunu W Health Serv Insights. 2025; 18:11786329251319203.

PMID: 39926049 PMC: 11803734. DOI: 10.1177/11786329251319203.

Prevalence of Transaminitis and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Among Young Indian Adults-A Population-Based Study.

Nair A, Puthiyaveettil Khadar J, Mohan Preetha A, Chellamma J, Devadas K, Kaur Gandhi T J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2025; 15(3):102466.

PMID: 39868010 PMC: 11760320. DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2024.102466.

Comparative study on the association between types of physical activity, physical activity levels, and the incidence of osteoarthritis in adults: the NHANES 2007-2020.

Huang C, Guo Z, Feng Z, Xu J, Pan Z, Liu W Sci Rep. 2024; 14(1):20574.

PMID: 39232062 PMC: 11374984. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71766-9.

Comparing cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels between third- and fifth-year medical students in a South African university.

Neophytou N, Torres G, Madoka R, Mari E, Ndlovu M, Bope E S Afr J Sports Med. 2024; 36(1):v36i1a15245.

PMID: 38384860 PMC: 10878414. DOI: 10.17159/2078-516X/2024/v36i1a15245.

Nurses' occupational physical activity and workload in a perioperative intensive care unit in Slovenia.

Fijacko N, Masterson Creber R, Metlicar S, Gosak L, Stiglic G Prev Med Rep. 2024; 37:102543.

PMID: 38179440 PMC: 10764244. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102543.

References

Jurj A, Wen W, Gao Y, Matthews C, Yang G, Li H . Patterns and correlates of physical activity: a cross-sectional study in urban Chinese women. BMC Public Health. 2007; 7:213. PMC: 2020478. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-7-213. View

Micklesfield L, Pedro T, Kahn K, Kinsman J, Pettifor J, Tollman S . Physical activity and sedentary behavior among adolescents in rural South Africa: levels, patterns and correlates. BMC Public Health. 2014; 14:40. PMC: 3897951. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-40. View

Nyrop K, Charnock B, Martin K, Lias J, Altpeter M, Callahan L . Effect of a six-week walking program on work place activity limitations among adults with arthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2011; 63(12):1773-6. DOI: 10.1002/acr.20604. View

Andersen L, Zebis M, Pedersen M, Roessler K, Andersen C, Pedersen M . Protocol for work place adjusted intelligent physical exercise reducing musculoskeletal pain in shoulder and neck (VIMS): a cluster randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010; 11:173. PMC: 2921353. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-11-173. View

Reilly J, Jackson D, Montgomery C, Kelly L, Slater C, Grant S . Total energy expenditure and physical activity in young Scottish children: mixed longitudinal study. Lancet. 2004; 363(9404):211-2. DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(03)15331-7. View

Joubert J, Norman R, Lambert E, Groenewald P, Schneider M, Bull F . Estimating the burden of disease attributable to physical inactivity in South Africa in 2000. S Afr Med J. 2007; 97(8 Pt 2):725-31. View

Van Cauwenberg J, Clarys P, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Van Holle V, Verte D, De Witte N . Physical environmental factors related to walking and cycling in older adults: the Belgian aging studies. BMC Public Health. 2012; 12:142. PMC: 3341198. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-142. View

Blake H, Harrison C . Health behaviours and attitudes towards being role models. Br J Nurs. 2013; 22(2):86-94. DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2013.22.2.86. View

Bacchieri G, Barros A, Santos J, Gigante D . Cycling to work in Brazil: users profile, risk behaviors, and traffic accident occurrence. Accid Anal Prev. 2010; 42(4):1025-30. DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2009.12.009. View

10.

Caspersen C, Powell K, Christenson G . Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Public Health Rep. 1985; 100(2):126-31. PMC: 1424733. View

11.

Frank E, Tong E, Lobelo F, Carrera J, Duperly J . Physical activity levels and counseling practices of U.S. medical students. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008; 40(3):413-21. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31815ff399. View

12.

Hensrud D, Sprafka J, Connett J, Leon A . Physical activity in Minnesota physicians. Prev Med. 1992; 21(1):120-6. DOI: 10.1016/0091-7435(92)90011-6. View

13.

Mackey M, Maher C, Wong T, Collins K . Study protocol: the effects of work-site exercise on the physical fitness and work-ability of older workers. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2007; 8:9. PMC: 1796542. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-8-9. View

14.

Cook I, Alberts M, Brits J, Choma S, Mkhonto S . Descriptive epidemiology of ambulatory activity in rural, black South Africans. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009; 42(7):1261-8. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181ca787c. View

15.

Haskell W, Blair S, Hill J . Physical activity: health outcomes and importance for public health policy. Prev Med. 2009; 49(4):280-2. DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2009.05.002. View

16.

Oyeyemi A, Oyeyemi A, Jidda Z, Babagana F . Prevalence of physical activity among adults in a metropolitan Nigerian city: a cross-sectional study. J Epidemiol. 2013; 23(3):169-77. PMC: 3700262. DOI: 10.2188/jea.je20120116. View

17.

Suija K, Pechter U, Maaroos J, Kalda R, Ratsep A, Oona M . Physical activity of Estonian family doctors and their counselling for a healthy lifestyle: a cross-sectional study. BMC Fam Pract. 2010; 11:48. PMC: 2909965. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2296-11-48. View

18.

Lahti J, Laaksonen M, Lahelma E, Rahkonen O . The impact of physical activity on physical health functioning--a prospective study among middle-aged employees. Prev Med. 2010; 50(5-6):246-50. DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2010.02.007. View

19.

Singh A, Purohit B . Physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity among Indian dental professionals. J Phys Act Health. 2011; 9(4):563-70. DOI: 10.1123/jpah.9.4.563. View

20.

Christensen J, Faber A, Ekner D, Overgaard K, Holtermann A, Sogaard K . Diet, physical exercise and cognitive behavioral training as a combined workplace based intervention to reduce body weight and increase physical capacity in health care workers - a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 2011; 11:671. PMC: 3175468. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-671. View