Physical activity counseling knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare providers in Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

Obesity, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, musculoskeletal pain and cancer mainly contribute to hospital admissions in Ghana. Although the significant effects of physical activity (PA) to ameliorate the burdens of these health conditions have been established, evidence of PA counseling knowledge, attitude and practice of Ghanaian healthcare providers (HCPs), who are mostly consulted, remain elusive. This cross-sectional survey examined PA counseling knowledge, attitudes and practices of 88 HCPs [doctors, nurses, and others; 37(42.0%) male and 51(58.0%) female, mean age = 34.36±9.91years] from tertiary, regional and district hospitals. PA counseling knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire administered yielded the following findings: A significant proportion (59.2%, p <0.05) routinely counseled clients to accumulate 30 minutes of moderate-intensity of PA per session, while 92.1% (p <0.05) counseled clients on health benefits of PA at least once per year. The results further indicated that the HPCs had low (n=10, 11.36%), were somewhat knowledgeable (n=62, 70.45%), and had high knowledge and confidence (n=16; 18.18%) about clients’ PA and exercise assessment and counseling. A total of 58 (65.9%) doctors, nurses, and other HCPs received formal training related to PA benefits. A significant proportion of doctors, nurses, and others (n=78, 90.7%; p <0.05) were interested in obtaining training related to PA and exercise counseling. Thirty-six (40.9%) had light PA <3 METS/week and 47(53.4%) had received personal additional educational preparation in the field of counseling clients on PA. HCPs engage in some PA counseling within appreciable knowledge, attitude and practice. Policy-based PA and exercise counseling incorporated into existing medical education programmes is advocated.