Prevalence of physical inactivity among Nigerian women: do socio-demographic characteristics, women’s personal attributes and psychosocial factors play any role?

Abstract

Purpose: Few studies have examined specific women’s attributes and factors associated with physical inactivity. This study investigated the prevalence of physical inactivity and its associations with women's personal characteristics and psychosocial factors among Nigerian women. Methods: This cross-sectional survey recruited 1560 women whose ages ranged between 18 and 65 years from Ile - Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit the respondents. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, women’s personal attributes including parity and menopausal status were obtained. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire over the last seven days. Psychosocial factors including self- efficacy, social support, and perceived exercise barrier were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Results: Prevalence of physical inactivity among respondents was 32.5%. The results showed that older women (OR=0.49), those with a high income (OR=0.54), post-menopausal (OR=0.34), multiparous women (OR=0.58), those with a high perceived barrier (OR=0.34) were less likely to be physically active. However, women with high educational level (OR=2.16) and those with high self-efficacy (OR=2.12) were more likely to be physically active. Conclusion: The prevalence of physical inactivity among Nigerian women differs across socio-demographic characteristics and women’s personal attributes. Multi-parity, menopausal status, and psychosocial factors were significantly associated with physical inactivity.