KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE FOR HEALTH PROMOTION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN IDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Regular participation in HeaIth Promoting Physical Exercise (HPPE) is a preventive health behavior against disease conditions such as obesity and diabetes which are linked to sedentary lifestyle. Secondary School Teachers (SST), being role models to students, can promote the uptake of the practice in school settings. However, the knowledge and pattern of practice of HPPE among SST which are needed to design interventions to enhance their capacity to play this role remains to be well explored. This study was, thefore, aimed at determining the knowledge and practice of HPPE among SST in Ido Local Government Area (IDLGA), Nigeria. The cross-sectional survey was conducted among 202 out of the 213 teachers in the 24 public secondary schools in ldo Local Government Area who consented to participate. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire, which included questions on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge (measured with a 40 point scale) and practice of HPPE, was used for data collection. Knowledge scores of 0-19, >19-29 and >29-40 points were considered pour, fair and good respectively. Involvement in HPPE for at least 3- 5 times recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) was rated good compliance while participation in HPPE <3 times a week was considered poor compliance. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and t-test were used for data analysis. Respondents' mean age was 38.0 ± 8.8 years and 50.5% were females. Over half (54.0%) were not aware of the need to get involved in HPPE for at least 3-5 times per week. Respondents' with poor, fair and good knowledge were 27.2%, 47.6% and 25.2% respectively. Many respondents lacked knowledge of the use or HPPE to prevent diabetes (73.7%), hypertension (41.6%) and obesity (21.3%). Few respondents (24,3%) knew about the use of HPPE for treating low back pain. Majority of the respondents (81.6%) had ever participated in HPPE. Aerobic exercises accounted for 38.1% of HPPE participated in by respondents. Some (33.3%) complied with WHO's recommendation regarding frequency of participation in HPPE per week. The participated reasons adduced for participation in HPPE include need to reduce tension (63.9%), prevention of some diseases (52.5%) and treatment of health problems (51.5%). The listed barriers against participation included busy schedule (55.6%) and lack of interest (25.0%). Respondents knowledge score was 16.0 ± 4.5 with scores for males and females being 16.0 ± 3.7 and 15.1 ± 5.1 respectively (p<0.05). Respondents' participation in HPPE within the two weeks preceding the study was 54.5% with no significant difference by sex. The low level of knowledge and poor compliance with health promoting physical exercise among the study population may constitute challenges to their involvement in promoting the practice among their students . Advocacy, social marketing of physical education and counseling, facilitated by educational authorities, could be used to address these shortcomings.