SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALpediatrics, public health

cross-sectional·pediatrics, public health, epidemiology, family medicine·PMC10635445

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

PLOS ONE · 8 authors, 4 centres

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AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

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TL;DR

It found that the mean physical activity level was low, with numerous personal, social, and environmental factors influencing activity.

Full summary

644 CHARS

The quantitative analysis used multiple linear regressions to identify factors associated with PA scores. The mean PA score was 2.08 on a 5-point scale. Key quantitative findings associated with higher PA included being male, older age, membership in a sports team, engaging in after-school work, positive self-perceptions of health and PA, and having a family perceived as active. Qualitative FGDs revealed poor awareness of PA benefits and recommendations, lack of interest, and family/community restrictions as major barriers. The study concludes that adolescent PA is low and recommends integrating PA promotion into school health programs.

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

pediatrics

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10635445

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

PLOS ONE

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ABSTRACT

Abstract 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.

CITATION EXPORT

Eshetu Andarge Zeleke, Teshale Fikadu, Muluken Bekele et al.. Physical activity status among adolescents in Southern Ethiopia: A mixed methods study. PLOS ONE. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293757

AUTHORS

8 · 4 CENTRES

Eshetu Andarge Zeleke, Teshale Fikadu, Muluken Bekele, Negussie Boti Sidamo, Kidus Temesgen Worsa, Zulkarnain Jaafar, Zulkarnain Jaafar, Zulkarnain Jaafar

1School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
2Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Discipline of Population Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
3Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Public Health, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
4Universiti Malaya, MALAYSIA