Physical Activity Practices and Preferences of Adult Females Living with Hypertension in a Nigerian Rural Community: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is the leading risk factor of premature death worldwide and affects over 34% of Nigerian adults. Physical activity (PA) plays a vital role in the prevention and management of hypertension. Designing a PA program for female patients living with hypertension in a rural community grossly burdened by hypertension will alleviate their physical inactivity burden but we lack knowledge of their PA baseline and preferences. Hence, the need to undergo this study.

Materials and Methods: A total of 35 adult females (aged 35-55 years) living with hypertension participated in this cross-sectional study. Physical activity profile questionnaire (PAPQ) and a composite questionnaire were used to assess participants’ physical activity practices, enablers, barriers and preferences. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.

Results: Household activities (60%), especially indoor household activities (57.1%), emerged as prominent forms of physical activity. Fitness/health (5.4±2.5) was the common enabler of physical activity among the participants while health concerns (80%) and social influences (25.7%) were the common barriers. 31.4% of the participants chose incorporating PA into their activities of daily living (ADL) as their most preferred mode of staying/getting active.

Conclusions/Recommendations: Female Patients Living with Hypertension (FPLWH) predominantly engage in household activities, most especially indoor activities, representing their most common mode of PA. The Physical activity program intervention for FPLWH will be tailored towards activities that can be implemented within the settings of the household environment.