A Survey of Physical Activity Patterns and Levels in the Hohoe District

Abstract

Physical Activity, a core component of weIIness promotion, does not command intense research interest in Africa in general and Ghana in particular. Data on physical activity prevalence in Ghana is lacking despite the apparent knowledge, belief, attitude and practices on its potential benefits. Physical activity promotion seems to be the least of the priorities of public health surveillance interventions in Ghana. This cross-sectional, exploratory academic enquiry sought to determine the physical activity patterns and levels in the Hohoe District, a predominantly farming area with quasi-urban tendencies. The demographic characteristics seem to suggest a rather 'highly active'; (70% of economic activities is dedicated to agriculture which is heavily labour-dependent but hardly technologically modern), youthful, low vehicle/population ratio but significantly high prevalence of hypertension, the second highest cause of morbidity (8%) after malaria in the district. Interactive web collaboration, literature review on physical activity and the use of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IP AQ), a self-administered instrument, typified the methodology applied as both qualitative and quantitative research within the interpretative science paradigm. Two hundred and eleven residents of Hohoe were questioned about their physical activities across four domains: Incidental, transportationrelated, occupational and leisure-time physical activity. Specifically, they were asked about the intensity: walking (3.3 METs) moderate physical activity (4.0 Mets) vigorous physical activity (8.0 METs) in the last seven days; in each case the time spent in minutes (duration and number of sessions per week (frequency). Based on the assertion that health benefits are dependent on a minimum level of physical activity (intensity x duration x frequency) of 600MET-min/week, the respondents were categorized accordingly as being 'Inactive', 'Minimally active' and 'HEPA active' (Health Enhancing Physical Activity). The findings indicated a generally highly (HEPA) active population (47.1%) with less female proportion; insufficiently active (inactive) higher socio-economic group and much less leisure-time physical activity (LTP A), across a wide socio-economic, occupational, age and gender strata. The Keep Fit Clubs provided most respondents, particularly the higher socio-economic group with leisure-time physical activity. The high rate of cardiovascular diseases among the higher socio-economic, insufficiently active and female groups is consistent with findings in the literature and further debunked the previously held notion that health benefits were only derived from leisure-time physical activity. Among the school going-age group physical education (PE) provided the main opportunity in 'leisuretime' physical activity, the result of lack of recreational facilities in the district. A physical activity intervention surveillance study in the district will help further to elucidate the high prevalence of hypertension and other emerging preventable, communicable and noncommunicable diseases. Furthermore, any policy initiative on physical activity by the Ministry of Health must recognize, improve and sustain the Keep Fit concept as a community-based organization and a valuable partner of public health. The Ghana Health Service on its part must publish as a matter of urgency a document providing guidelines on physical activity for health care providers and the general public.