KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND PRACTICE OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE AMONG FOOD STUFF SELLERS IN BODIJA MARKET, IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE

Abstract

Physical inactivity is now indicated as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality in the world and can be linked to diverse health conditions such as stroke, hypertension, dementia, cancer, obesity, coronary heart disease and depression. Many researchers have investigated the knowledge, perception and practice of physical exercise among students, bankers and young people in Nigeria but studies have neglected the informal sector such as traders in the market place. This study therefore was designed to investigate the knowledge, perception and practice of physical exercise among food stuff sellers in Bodija market, Ibadan, Oyo State. The study utilised a descriptive cross-sectional design with a cluster sampling technique to select 383 respondents. A validated semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on the knowledge, perception, practices, factors influencing practices and willingness to be participating in physical exercise. Respondents’ knowledge of physical exercise was measured on a 23-point scale and it was categorised as: <7 (Poor), >7- 16 (Fair) and >16 (Good). Respondents’ perception of physical exercise was measured on a 9- point scale and it was categorised as <4 (negative) and scores >4 (positive). Respondents’ practice of physical exercise was measured on a 12-point scale and it was categorised as: <5 (poor) and scores > 5 (good). The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact test at p<0.05 with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Many (59.5%) of the respondents were females and most (89.6%) `were Yoruba. Majority (70.2%) of the respondents were married and only few (21.7%) of the respondents’ had completed tertiary education. Respondents’ mean age was 39.5±13.4 and age range 21- 40years had the highest percentage (49.6%). Respondents’ mean knowledge, perception and practices scores were obtained as 13.2±3.2, 7.0±1.9, and 9.6±2.1 respectively. The results of the study showed that 58.5% had fair knowledge, most (88.5%) of the respondents’ had positive perception and some (43.9%) of the respondents’ had poor practice of physical exercise. Most of the respondents (85.6%) correctly answered that physical exercise could improve the ability of an individual’s body to fight diseases. However, majority (72.6%) of the respondents did not know that physical exercise is not the same thing as physical activity. Most (88.3%) of the respondents also disagreed that physical exercise is time wasting. However, many (56.9%) of the respondents mentioned that they could not combine food selling business with physical exercise. There was a significant difference between level of knowledge and perception of physical exercise and also, there was a significant difference between level of knowledge and practice of physical exercise. The respondents’ knowledge, perception and practice of physical exercise was fair, positive and good, respectively. Lack of time to practice was a major hindering factor influencing the practice of physical exercise. Therefore, sensitization programmes to educate and promote the practice of physical exercise should therefore be encouraged by health promoters