Main Article Content
Levels and predictors of physical activity in a sample of pre-retirement and retired civil servants in Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Lack or inadequate physical activity may have dire health implications on both pre-retirement and retired individuals. Previous studies on the socioeconomic and demographic predictors of physical activity in this population may not fully apply in African because most were conducted outside the continent, hence this study.
Methods: A cross sectional survey of pre-retirement and retired civil servants in Kano State, North-Western Nigeria. A total of 532 participants comprising equal halves of sex-matched pre-retired and retirees met the inclusion criteria. We investigated their socioeconomic and demographic background as well as participation in vigorous and moderate physical activities, walking and sitting using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of moderate physical activities.
Results: Only 38.3% of pre-retired and 22.1% of the retirees engaged in moderate physical activities level. Being male, lower age, living in a rural settlement (OR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.27-1.82), lower income and lower job/retirement years increased the odds of moderate activities in the pre-retired and retirees (except age and gender). Additionally, unavailability of recreational facilities (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.33-0.61) was linked to lesser engagement in moderate physical activities in the retirees.
Conclusion: Pre-retirement civil servants and retirees were physically active in both work and leisure mainly at the sub-moderate level, with lesser engaging in moderate level but below the recommended frequency. Settlement type, income and years of job/retirement were the common predictors of moderate physical activity in both groups.
Methods: A cross sectional survey of pre-retirement and retired civil servants in Kano State, North-Western Nigeria. A total of 532 participants comprising equal halves of sex-matched pre-retired and retirees met the inclusion criteria. We investigated their socioeconomic and demographic background as well as participation in vigorous and moderate physical activities, walking and sitting using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of moderate physical activities.
Results: Only 38.3% of pre-retired and 22.1% of the retirees engaged in moderate physical activities level. Being male, lower age, living in a rural settlement (OR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.27-1.82), lower income and lower job/retirement years increased the odds of moderate activities in the pre-retired and retirees (except age and gender). Additionally, unavailability of recreational facilities (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.33-0.61) was linked to lesser engagement in moderate physical activities in the retirees.
Conclusion: Pre-retirement civil servants and retirees were physically active in both work and leisure mainly at the sub-moderate level, with lesser engaging in moderate level but below the recommended frequency. Settlement type, income and years of job/retirement were the common predictors of moderate physical activity in both groups.
