A cross-sectional study on the perceived barriers to physical exercise among women in Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

BACKGROUND: Limited research has investigated the barriers to physical exercise among women in Iraqi Kurdistan Region and other similar Muslim and Middle Eastern societies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of perceived barriers to physical exercise among women and examine the associations of these barriers with the participants' sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan Region, from December 2022 to January 2023. A self-administered online survey was designed using Google Forms. A convenience sample of 500 women and girls aged 18-65 years was selected for the study. A questionnaire was designed for data collection, including a list of 21 potential barriers to physical exercise developed based on literature review and experts' opinions. The barriers were divided into three categories: interpersonal (8 barriers), social environment (8 barriers), and built environment factors (5 barriers). The participants were asked to indicate for each potential barrier whether it was "not really a barrier, somewhat a barrier, or a very important barrier." The statistical package for social sciences was used to estimate the prevalence of different barriers and assess their association with sociodemographic characteristics using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The prevalence of physical inactivity among the study participants was 68.2%. The most prevalent interpersonal barriers to physical exercise included lack of time (47.4%), followed by fatigue (24%), and cost (22.4%). Regarding social environment factors, work (30.6%), harassment outside (22.2%), not having a friend or family member accompanying (19%), and not being allowed by family (15.4%) were the most prevalent barriers to physical exercise. Lack of footpaths, cycle lanes, or parks (34.4%), limited accessibility of gyms or other exercise facilities (25.8%), and environmental pollution (21%) were the most prevalent built environment factors as barriers to physical exercise. CONCLUSION: Women in Iraqi Kurdistan Region experience many barriers to physical exercise. Women require family and social support and awareness about exercise benefits to overcome interpersonal and social environment barriers to physical exercise. Built environment factors are very important barriers and can be reduced by taking appropriate action and adopting necessary policies to provide the required infrastructure and facilities for physical exercise.

Prevalence and determinants of anxiety and stress in the general population during COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and its prevention and control measures, such as social distancing, self-isolation, and quarantine, have a negative impact on the population's mental health. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and stress among the general population during the outbreak of COVID-19 and assess their associated factors. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study in Erbil governorate, Iraqi Kurdistan Region, from July 18 to September 12, 2020. We used an online survey questionnaire to collect data from a sample of Erbil population. The 10-items Perceived Stress Scale and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale were used to measure the levels of stress and anxiety. RESULTS: A total of 851 persons responded to the survey. The prevalence of moderate and high perceived stress was 59.6% and 16.6%, respectively. The prevalence of moderate and severe anxiety was 24.7% and 22.7%, respectively. Age, gender, economic level, having contact with COVID-19 patients, and following COVID-19 news were independent variables significantly associated with stress levels. Age, gender, economic level, employment status, having symptoms of COVID-19, having contact with COVID-19 patients, and following COVID-19 news were independent variables significantly associated with anxiety levels. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of people experienced stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Females, younger age, poor, and unemployed reported significantly higher stress and anxiety levels. There is a need to establish mechanisms at the population level to decrease the stress and anxiety risks and provide mental health coping measures in times of crisis, such as education about positive thinking, stress management programs, and the role of social support.