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A. Night1, S. Anna Maria1, N. Racheal1, M. Edward1, J. Fred1
1Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Physiotherapy, Mbarara, Uganda
Background: Physical activity has been shown to prevent mortality and morbidity among people with
hypertension. Hypertension has been identified to affect about 33% of the adult population across the globe and
26.4% in Uganda. An increase in hypertension and its adverse outcomes has been observed and reported in
Southwestern Uganda. This may be due to physical inactivity. However, there is limited evidence demonstrating
the extent of physical activity among patients with hypertension in this region.
hypertension. Hypertension has been identified to affect about 33% of the adult population across the globe and
26.4% in Uganda. An increase in hypertension and its adverse outcomes has been observed and reported in
Southwestern Uganda. This may be due to physical inactivity. However, there is limited evidence demonstrating
the extent of physical activity among patients with hypertension in this region.
Purpose: To investigate the extent of physical activity and associated factors among patients attending hypertension clinics in Mbarara City.
Methods: A descriptive, quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants' data was obtained using a structured researcher-administered questionnaire consisting of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) long form, Motivation for Physical Activity Questionnaire (RM4-FM) and the Barrier to
Being Activity Quiz (BBAQ). Frequency distribution tables, Fischer’s exact test and multivariate logistic regression were used to describe data and establish associations during data analysis. A p-value less than 0.05 with 95% confidence interval was considered to be statistically significant.
Being Activity Quiz (BBAQ). Frequency distribution tables, Fischer’s exact test and multivariate logistic regression were used to describe data and establish associations during data analysis. A p-value less than 0.05 with 95% confidence interval was considered to be statistically significant.
Results: Less than half of the participants (45.39%) were found to be physically active. Level of education, having heard of physical activity, place of residence, sedentary behavior and social influence were associated with physical activity with the Fischer’s exact test (p-value<0.05). On multivariate adjustment, level of education (aOR=1.378; CI=1.056-1.797; p-value=0.018) and sedentary behavior (aOR=0.268; CI=0.121-0.591; p-value=0.001) were significantly associated with physical activity. Majority of the active participants were autonomously motivated. Most reported barriers were lack of skill, social influence and lack of willpower.
Conclusions: With the majority of the participants being physically inactive, and almost half being both physically inactive and sedentary, creating awareness about the benefits of physical activity in the management of hypertension should be emphasized.
Implications: Discussing and availing various physical activity options for the different age groups should be considered as a major input to consider and integrate the four strategic policy areas for action recommended by World Health Organization 2022.
Funding acknowledgements: The study was funded by the five students who were undertaking their undergraduate research.
Keywords:
Physical activity
Hypertension
Sedentary
Physical activity
Hypertension
Sedentary
Topics:
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Committee: MUST REC
Ethics number: MUST-2022-759
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
