Physical activity status among adolescents in Southern Ethiopia: A mixed methods study.

Autor: Zeleke EA; School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.; Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Discipline of Population Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia., Fikadu T; School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.; Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Public Health, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia., Bekele M; School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia., Sidamo NB; School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia., Temesgen Worsa K; School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: PloS one [PLoS One] 2023 Nov 09; Vol. 18 (11), pp. e0293757. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 09 (Print Publication: 2023).
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293757
Abstrakt: Background: Adolescents physical activity is associated with current and future health benefits, reduction of cardio-vascular risk factors, improved bone mineral density, and mental health. The aim of the current study is to assess physical activity status and its factors among adolescents in Arba Minch and Jinka towns, Southern Ethiopia.
Methods: The study was conducted on 1255 randomly selected schools adolescents of Arba Minch and Jinka town by employing a mixed method. The qualitative data was obtained by Focus Group Discussion. Multiple linear regressions were done to identify factors affecting physical activity. Codes, sub-categories, and main categories were derived from the transcripts and presented in narrative ways to describe adolescent student's perception on physical activity, its barriers and facilitators by comparing with quantitative findings.
Results: The mean physical activity level was 2.08 (95% CI: 2.04-2.12). A student's self-perception about being physically active, being a member of a sport or fitness team, and engaging in after-school activity to earn money, being older, sex, a self-perception of being healthy, higher levels of vegetable and fruit consumption, having someone who encouraged physical activity, perceiving one's family as being active, self-perception of not being overweight and attending schools that have a sports/playground were factors associated with physical activity. The qualitative finding showed a related finding. Poor awareness on the recommended physical activity, benefits of physical activity, lack of interest, restrictions from family members, peers and the community, uncomfortable environment were barriers to physical activity.
Conclusion and Recommendation: The physical activity level of adolescents was low. Age, sex, a positive self-perception about PA and general health, and perception about one's family PA, healthy eating practice, and the presence of role model were associated factors. Lack of self-motivation, interest and family restrictions were barriers to physical activity. PA promotion should be made by incorporating PA into school health programs and strengthening the existing school curriculum.
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
(Copyright: © 2023 Zeleke et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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