| dc.description.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. | en_US |
