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Published:
Jul 13, 2023DOI:
10.4314/ahs.v23i2.66Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Exploring the barriers and facilitators towards physical activity among church members in Lagos, Nigeria: a qualitative study
Abstract
Background: Physical inactivity is substantially linked to the rise in the global burden of non-communicable diseases. Faithbased
organizations are recognized as potential partners for sustainable health interventions.
Objective: This study aims to explore the facilitators and barriers towards physical activity among adult church members in Lagos, Nigeria.
Methods: Sixteen focus group discussions (n-163) were conducted among adult male and female church members in twelve Anglican churches. The discussions were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed along with the field notes for themes using sequential approach with the aid of the Dedoose® software.
Results: Individual facilitators of PA included self-discipline, and personal habits. Individual barriers were laziness, ill-health, fear of injury and pre-existing health conditions. Organizational facilitators included biblical verses promoting PA, while deterring factors were lack of safe spaces for PA and poor knowledge among church leadership. The community-level facilitators included pro-physical activity cultural practices, while the prevailing practice hiring house-helps, high costs of gym membership and gender norms discouraging men from participating in household chores served as deterring community-level factors. Environmental facilitators were the availability of safe spaces for PA while deterring factors were city living and high traffic density.
Conclusion: Several multi-level factors influence physical activity among church members. While it is pertinent to address personal
factors, family and community factors also promote PA, therefore, group-level interventions may be warranted. Strategies that address the socio-cultural norms that serve as barriers to PA should also be included in the design of church-based PA programmes.
Keywords: Physical activity; faith-based organization; determinants.
