Exercise decisional balance among persons living with hypertension in a south-eastern state of Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Exercise is key in the primary prevention and control of hypertension. The exercise decisional balance (EDB) reflects the perceived benefits (pros) and perceived barriers (cons) of exercise behaviour change and predicts one's readiness to engage in exercise behaviour change. Objectives: To assess EDB among persons living with hypertension in Nnewi, Anambra State, and the inter-relationships among participants' anthropometrics and socio-demographics and their EDB. Methodology: This cross-sectional study surveyed 150 adults (109 females and 41 males) living with hypertension in the study population. Participants were conveniently recruited from teaching and specialist hospitals, markets and offices in the study area. Data was summarised using descriptive statistics. Spearman rank order correlation and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to test for relationships and influences among variables. Alpha was set at 0.05. Results: The participants demonstrated good EDB (2.80 ± 0.97). The mean BMI (28.78 ± 5.88), waist (93.77cm ± 12.29) and hip circumferences (108cm.10 ±13.25) of participants fell within overweight and unhealthy. Adiposity indices were significantly greater in females than in males, and showed significant negative correlations with EDB. Only 1.3% of the participants recorded negative decisional balance scores. The study observed no significant influence of gender, marital status and occupation on EDB. Age showed a significant positive correlation with Pros (r= 0.199, p=0.015) and EDB (r= 0.219, p=0.007). Conclusion: The majority of the participants had good EDB, though not as much reported as good enough exercise participation. Most participants were overweight, and adiposity indices showed significant negative correlation with EDB, while age showed significant positive correlation with EDB.