Exploring the barriers and facilitators towards physical activity among church members in Lagos, Nigeria: a qualitative study.

Abstract

Physical inactivity is substantially linked to the rise in the global burden of non-communicable diseases. Faith-based organizations are recognized as potential partners for sustainable health interventions. This study aims to explore the facilitators and barriers towards physical activity among adult church members in Lagos, Nigeria. Sixteen focus group discussions (n-163) were conducted among adult male and female church members in twelve Anglican churches. The discussions were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed along with the field notes for themes using sequential approach with the aid of the Dedoose® software. Individual facilitators of PA included self-discipline, and personal habits. Individual barriers were laziness, ill-health, fear of injury and pre-existing health conditions. Organizational facilitators included biblical verses promoting PA, while deterring factors were lack of safe spaces for PA and poor knowledge among church leadership. The community-level facilitators included pro-physical activity cultural practices, while the prevailing practice hiring house-helps, high costs of gym membership and gender norms discouraging men from participating in household chores served as deterring community-level factors. Environmental facilitators were the availability of safe spaces for PA while deterring factors were city living and high traffic density. Several multi-level factors influence physical activity among church members. While it is pertinent to address personal factors, family and community factors also promote PA, therefore, group-level interventions may be warranted. Strategies that address the socio-cultural norms that serve as barriers to PA should also be included in the design of church-based PA programmes.