A.O. Jaiyesimi1, O.J. Olakanye1
1University of Ibadan, Department of Physiotherapy, Ibadan, Nigeria
Background: The burden of cancer is increasing in economically developing countries like Nigeria. Global cancer control has been a growing priority of governments globally and the World Health Organization as reflected in numerous guidance documents and commitments. The Ministry of Health in Nigeria made a national cancer control plan for 2018 -2022 focusing on seven priority areas which includes: prevention, diagnosis and treatment, hospice and palliative care, advocacy, data management and research, supply chain management, governance and finance. Prevention using physical activity has been reported to be the most feasible and cost effective approach. Higher awareness and knowledge levels of physical activity as a preventive measure against cancer is associated with more positive attitudes that will enhance participating in more physical activity.
Purpose: This study aimed at determining the knowledge, attitude and practice of physical activity in the prevention of cancer and their inter-relationship among middle-aged individuals in Ibadan-North Local Government Area
Methods: This study used a mixed method design (cross-sectional survey and exploratory qualitative study). The survey involved a purposive sample of one hundred and eighty seven (187) middle-aged individuals from Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Participants completed a questionnaire on knowledge and attitude towards physical activity in cancer prevention. Participants’ practice of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Data from the cross sectional survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics of percentages, frequency, mean, standard deviation and Spearman’s rank-order correlation (α= 0.05). For the exploratory qualitative study, eight purposively selected participants participated in a focus group discussion. The qualitative data were analyzed using the content thematic analysis.
Results: Participants (102 males and 87 females) were aged 46.85±5.90 years. About one-third (35.8%) had a poor knowledge about physical activity as a prevention strategy against cancer, 45% had a negative attitude towards physical activity in cancer prevention and 52.4% were physically inactive. Analysis showed a significant association between the knowledge about physical activity as a prevention strategy against cancer and attitude of participants towards physical activity (r= 0.464, p=0.000) as well as between the knowledge about physical activity as a prevention strategy against cancer and practice of physical activity by participants (r=0.192, p=0.008) but not between attitude towards physical activity as a prevention strategy against cancer and the practice of physical activity (r=0.140, p=0.055). The qualitative study revealed lack of safety and laziness as the major barriers to physical activity engagement by the participants. It also revealed self-motivation and peer support as major facilitators to physical activity engagement.
Conclusion(s): Only about 50% of the middle-aged individuals studied have a fair knowledge and positive attitude towards physical activity in cancer prevention. Majority are however, physically inactive. There is need to create more public awareness about the role of physical activity in the primary prevention of some cancers among middle-aged individuals.
Implications: Physiotherapists as exercise experts are in the best position to offer health education on the role of physical activity in the primary prevention of some cancers.
Funding, acknowledgements: The study was funded by the researchers.
Keywords: Cancer, Physical activity, knowledge
Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Committee: University of Ibadan/ University College Hospital (UI/UCH) Health Research Ethics Committee
Ethics number: UI/EC/19/0441
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
