University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.
BMC Geriatr. 2019 Mar 15;19(1):85. doi: 10.1186/s12877-019-1095-1.
Ghana is experiencing an epidemiological shift in public health issues toward non-communicable diseases that are underpinned by modifiable health behaviors. Physical activity rates have decreased, especially among older adults, coinciding with urbanization and an increase in sedentary work. Community-based physical activity programs are a recommended method of increasing physical activity levels; however, none currently exist in Ghana. The aim of this exploratory study was to determine older Ghanaian adults' perceptions of physical activity and asses fit and feasibility of adapting and delivering a physical activity program for this population.
Through a concurrent exploratory mixed-methods design, data were gathered from Ghanaian older adults (N = 123) during focus groups (N = 10) conducted at one diabetes clinic and nine churches across three urban areas. Qualitative data were collected using a semi-structured script that prompted for responses related to physical activity perceptions and the fit and feasibility of physical activity program characteristics. Quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire assessing participant demographics, physical activity levels, and health rating as well as physical activity knowledge and self-efficacy.
Findings indicate that older adults in Ghana have a need for and an interest in physical activity promotion. Participants had positive perceptions of being physically active, but were unaware of physical activity guidelines and how to meet them. Peer influence and health care providers' recommendations were motivating factors for physical activity participation. As for desired physical activity program characteristics, participants expressed interest in group-based activities and becoming peer leaders and preference for a church-based program.
The results suggest that a group-based physical activity program encouraged by health care providers and delivered at churches through a train-the-trainer model would be well received by aging adults from three urban areas of Ghana. In addition, education on physical activity types is needed, along with better dissemination and education on Ministry of Health physical activity guidelines. This exploratory work highlights preliminary support for a group- and community-based physical activity program for the aging population in Ghana. Beginning with the end in mind, these program characteristics should be considered when adopting, adapting, and implementing an intervention with this population.
加纳的公共卫生问题正经历着从传染病向慢性病的转变，而这些慢性病与可改变的健康行为有关。尤其是在老年人中，体力活动的参与率有所下降，这与城市化和久坐工作的增加是一致的。基于社区的体力活动项目是提高体力活动水平的推荐方法，但加纳目前还没有这样的项目。本探索性研究旨在了解加纳老年人对体力活动的看法，并评估为该人群改编和实施体力活动项目的适宜性和可行性。
通过同时进行的探索性混合方法设计，在三个城市的一家糖尿病诊所和九家教堂，共对 123 名加纳老年人进行了焦点小组访谈（N=10），同时收集数据。使用半结构化脚本收集定性数据，该脚本提示与体力活动看法以及体力活动项目特征的适宜性和可行性有关的回应。通过问卷收集定量数据，问卷评估参与者的人口统计学特征、体力活动水平和健康状况评分，以及体力活动知识和自我效能。
研究结果表明，加纳的老年人需要并对促进体力活动感兴趣。参与者对积极参与体力活动有积极的看法，但他们不知道体力活动指南以及如何达到这些指南。同伴的影响和医疗保健提供者的建议是他们参与体力活动的动机因素。至于他们希望的体力活动项目特征，参与者对小组活动和成为同伴领导者感兴趣，并倾向于在教堂开展项目。
研究结果表明，一种由医疗保健提供者鼓励、通过培训员模式在教堂实施的基于小组的体力活动项目将受到加纳三个城市的老年人的欢迎。此外，需要进行体力活动类型的教育，同时更好地传播和教育卫生部的体力活动指南。这项探索性工作初步支持为加纳的老年人口开展基于小组和社区的体力活动项目。从最终目标出发，在为该人群采用、改编和实施干预措施时，应考虑这些项目特征。
