Sociodemographic and health correlates of physical activity among the general adult population in Kenya

Abstract

Physical activity levels are related to sociodemographic and health factors. The study assessed the prevalence and correlates of physical activity levels among adults in a nationally representative population-based survey in Kenya. In a cross-sectional survey based on a multi-stage stratified cluster random sample in 2015, 4480 individuals 18-69 years (Median: 38.0, Inter Quartile Range: 23) responded the “Global Physical Activity Questionnaire.” The distribution of physical activity levels were as follows: 10.0%, 12.1% and 77.9% of men and 11.8%, 16.7% and 71.5% of women engaged low, moderate and high physical activity, respectively. The highest level of inactivity was found in the leisure-time domain. In adjusted multinomial regression analysis, the odds of engaging in high physical activity decreased among men with urban residence and being overweight or obese. Among women, high physical activity decreased with age, having higher education and binge drinking. Insufficient physical activity, in particular in the work and travel domains, is not common in the adult population of Kenya. Physical activity intervention and promotion programmes may want to target leisure-time physical activity, urban and overweight men, and women with better education and binge drinkers.

Keywords: Physical activity, demographic factors, health variables, Kenya.