Perceived Environmental Support for Physical Activity among University Administrative Workers

Implications for Social Entrepreneurship

Abstract

The objective of this study was to (1) determine the physical activity (PA) levels of university administrative staff and (2) explore perceived environmental factors associated with meeting the current public health recommendations for PA This cross-sectional survey involved 318 university administrative staff of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana (162) and the Enugu State University of Science and Technology; Nigeria (156). Participants' PA levels were assessed with the World Health Organisation's (WHO) International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)short form. Additionally, researcher developed questionnaire measured participants' perceived environmental support for PA Pearson chi-square was used to analyse participants' characteristics and PA levels. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association of perceived environmental support and meeting public health recommendations (PHRs) for PA Results indicate that about 13% of the workers exhibited low PA, 79.6% moderate and 7.5% high at p > .05. Besides, young workers (d" 44 years) were 1.06 more times likely to meet PHRsfor PA(+2 = 11.91, OR = 1.06, P =.04, 95% C./. = 1.002-1.125) than older ones (e" 45 years). Participants with high perceptions of the availability of sporting facilities at their workplaces for PA were more likely to meet PHRs for PA than those with low perceptions (+2 = 8.21, OR = .22, p = .004, 95% C.I.). Majority of the workers are not meeting PHRs for PA There is association of multiple environmental variables rather than a single variable to PA participation.