Perceptions and Attitudes of Primary Healthcare Providers in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, towards the Promotion of Physical Activity
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences (IJMRHS) - Year 2017, Vol 6, Issue 11
Abstract
Background: Physical inactivity increases the risk of several chronic, non-communicable diseases which ultimately reduces life expectancy. Recently, major lifestyle changes in Saudi Arabia due to economic growth, globalization, and modernization resulted in physical inactivity and low level of physical ftness. Health care professionals can play an important role in developing awareness about physical ftness among people. However, little is known about the impact of current health promotion practices of Saudi healthcare providers. This cross-sectional study evaluates Saudi primary healthcare providers’ attitudes, knowledge, and awareness associated with advising patients about physical activity during routine consultations. Methods: A quantitative survey on 803 respondents who comprised of general physicians, nurses, nurse assistants, dieticians and health educators in fve districts of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia was conducted using convenience sampling method. Results: The data showed that most of the primary care staffs are quite enthusiastic in promoting physical activity among the patients and revealed that they routinely discussed and advised about the benefts of physical ftness. However, there are some factors acting as barriers for promoting physical activity, such as i) lack of time, ii) lack of educational materials for patients, iii) lack of proper training and protocols for health care professionals, iv) lack of patient cooperation, and v) lack of fnancial incentive. Conclusion: Proper strategies should be developed to motivate primary health care professionals, so that they can effectively encourage the general population to be more active physically. Hence, there is an urgent need to integrate physical activity promotion in to practice consultation in Saudi Arabia. In addition, more efforts are required from the policy makers and health professionals to gather suffcient knowledge about current physical activity recommendations.
Authors and Affiliations
Sameer Al-Ghamdi| Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, Corresponding e-mail: sam3443@gmail.com, Mansour Alajmi| Department of Family Medicine, Military Armed Forces Hospital, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, Ali Al-Gonaim| College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, Saad Al-Juhayyim| College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, Saad Al-Qasem| College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, Ibrahim Al-Tamimi| College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP12483
- DOI -
- Views 351
- Downloads 27
SEMINAL PLASMA LEVELS OF LEAD AND MERCURY IN INFERTILE MALES IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA
Background/objectives: Studies on environmental exposure to toxic metals and their effects on male reproductive function are scare in our setting. This study evaluates the levels of lead and mercury in seminal plasma o...
RARE PRESENTATION OF RUPTURED RUDIMENTARY HORN PREGNANCY
It is a rare occurrence for the rudimentary horn of uterus to harbour a pregnancy and the usual outcome is devastating leading to a spontaneous rupture in second trimester with the patient presenting in shock with mas...
No Evidence of Association between Toxocara canis Infection and Cancer Risk
Nowadays, it has been proven that infection with some pathogens, such as certain viruses, bacteria, and parasites, is one of the most important and preventable causes of cancer worldwide. Human toxocariasis is a helmint...
The Effect of Stress Coping Skills Training on Family Functioning in Families with Mental Patients Referred to Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran, Iran
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of stress coping skills training on family functioning in families with mental patients referred to Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2015-2016. In this ex...
The relationship between QT interval and QT dispersion with left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with LBBB or RBBB
We aimed to determine the relationship between QT interval and QT dispersion with left ventricular systolic function (LVSF), in patients with left or right bundle branch block ( LBBB or RBBB). In this cross-sectional st...