FACTORS AFFECTING EXERCISE SELF-EFFICACY AND TEMPTATION TO NOT EXERCISE AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING ADULTS WITH HYPERTENSION IN NNEWI NORTH, ANAMBRA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Despite the well-documented benefits of Physical Activity (PA) in the control of hypertension (HTN), low levels of PA are still prevalent among adults with HTN.

Aim: This study aimed to determine PA level, self-efficacy, temptation not to engage in PA, and its associated factors among community-dwelling adults living with HTN in Nnewi.

Methods: The Cardiovascular and anthropometric indices of the 199 participants who were recruited consecutively were obtained, while the PA self-efficacy and temptation scales were used to assess self-efficacy and temptation levels. Data obtained was analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPPS) version 24 with alpha set at 0.05.

Result: The results revealed a low self-efficacy for PA and high temptation not to engage. A significant negative correlation was observed between self-efficacy and temptation among the participants (r=0.336, p<0.001). Stress was the most implicated factor influencing both self-efficacy and temptation. Females reported higher temptation and lower PA self-efficacy (mean rank =110.87, p=0.006, 90.19; p=0.014 respectively). The study also found a significant influence of occupation on temptation to not exercise, with cooks/chefs reporting the highest mean temptation rank (p = 0.049).

Conclusion: There is a low exercise self-efficacy and a high temptation to not exercise among this population which were influenced by several factors such as occupation, educational level, waist hip ratio, blood pressure and Body mass index. Awareness should be targeted at improving these individuals’ confidence in performing PA.