Level of Physical Activity and Its Associated Factors among Primary Healthcare Workers in Perak, Malaysia

Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle have been linked to the occurrence of non-communicable diseases. This study’s purpose was to determine physical activity levels and sedentary behaviours among primary healthcare workers in Perak, Malaysia, as well as associated factors. A cross-sectional s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2020-08, Vol.17 (16), p.5947
Main Authors: Abu Saad, Hazizi, Low, Pei Kit, Jamaluddin, Rosita, Chee, Huei Phing
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Body fat
Body mass
Body mass index
Body size
Confidence intervals
Exercise
Health care
Health services
Lifestyles
Low income groups
Marital status
Medical personnel
Medical research
Metabolism
Obesity
Occupations
Pharmacists
Physical activity
Physicians
Primary care
Questionnaires
Sociodemographics
Statistical analysis
Studies
Workers
Working hours
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Summary:Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle have been linked to the occurrence of non-communicable diseases. This study’s purpose was to determine physical activity levels and sedentary behaviours among primary healthcare workers in Perak, Malaysia, as well as associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted at 12 health clinics in Perak, Malaysia, to determine physical activity levels, sedentary behaviours and factors associated with physical inactivity among primary healthcare workers. Each respondent completed a self-administered questionnaire relating to socio-demographic characteristics, including anthropometric measurements such as body mass index, waist circumference and body fat percentage, and the English and Malay version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. A total of 261 primary healthcare workers participated in this study; 45.6% were classified as physically inactive, spending a median of five hours daily engaged in sedentary behaviours. In terms of metabolic equivalent min per week, male workers had significantly higher physical activity than females. Self-reported health status and longer sitting times were significantly associated with physical inactivity. Logistic regression showed that poor health status was 1.84 times less likely to be associated with physical activity (p = 0.036, Confidence Interval = 1.04–3.24). Due to the high prevalence of physical inactivity, action is needed to increase physical activity among healthcare workers.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph17165947