Main Article Content
Comparative Influence of Self-Efficacy, Social Support and PerceiIved Barriers on Low Physical Activity Development in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension or Stroke
Abstract
Mehtods: This cross-sectional study included 509 participants aged 35-80 years from randomly selected health facilities in South-western Nigeria. Physical activity level, self-efficacy, social support and perceived barriers of the participants were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, Medical Outcomes Social Support Scale and Exercise Benefits and Barrier Scale, respectively.
Results: The odds of having low physical activity was highest in those with low social support for Type 2 Diabetes (OR=3.95, 95% CI=3.13-5.24), stroke (OR=2.72, 95% CI=1.98-3.91) and mixed disorders (OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.19-3.15) while high perceived barriers was associated with the highest odds (OR=1.79, 95% CI=1.23-2.87) for low physical activity in hypertensive participants.
Conclusions: Low social support had the highest influence in establishing low physical activity in patients with Type 2 Diabetes, stroke and those with mixed disorders and the amount of influence was highest in those with Type 2 Diabetes. Psychosocial constructs should be considered by giving priority to social support when prescribing physical activity especially for patients with Type 2 Diabetes, stroke and those with mixed disorders.
Keywords: Physical activity, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, psychosocial influences
Ethiop J Health Sci. Vol. 22, No. 2 July 2012