Exploring the barriers and facilitators towards physical activity among church members in Lagos, Nigeria: a qualitative study.
Afr Health Sci
; 23(2): 572-581, 2023 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38223576
ABSTRACT
Background:
Physical inactivity is substantially linked to the rise in the global burden of non-communicable diseases. Faith-based organizations are recognized as potential partners for sustainable health interventions.Objective:
This study aims to explore the facilitators and barriers towards physical activity among adult church members in Lagos, Nigeria.Methods:
Sixteen focus group discussions (n-163) were conducted among adult male and female church members in twelve Anglican churches. The discussions were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed along with the field notes for themes using sequential approach with the aid of the Dedoose® software.Results:
Individual facilitators of PA included self-discipline, and personal habits. Individual barriers were laziness, ill-health, fear of injury and pre-existing health conditions. Organizational facilitators included biblical verses promoting PA, while deterring factors were lack of safe spaces for PA and poor knowledge among church leadership. The community-level facilitators included pro-physical activity cultural practices, while the prevailing practice hiring house-helps, high costs of gym membership and gender norms discouraging men from participating in household chores served as deterring community-level factors. Environmental facilitators were the availability of safe spaces for PA while deterring factors were city living and high traffic density.Conclusion:
Several multi-level factors influence physical activity among church members. While it is pertinent to address personal factors, family and community factors also promote PA, therefore, group-level interventions may be warranted. Strategies that address the socio-cultural norms that serve as barriers to PA should also be included in the design of church-based PA programmes.Palavras-chave
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Exercício Físico
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article