Healthcare Professional’s Utilization of Physical Exercise as a Strategy to Prevent NCDs in Ethiopian Public Sector Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Despite the recognized benefits of physical exercise, including a reduction of health risk factor indicators, illness and death related to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer), the extent of its recognition and use as a prevention strategy by healthcare professionals working in Ethiopian referral hospitals is unknown. Objective: This study explored healthcare professionals’ use of Physical exercise as a non-communicable disease Prevention Strategies in the Ethiopian public sector Healthcare System. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among (N=312) health care professionals (nurses, physicians and medical managers) in 13 Ethiopian referral hospitals. Results: The results indicated thatthree quarters (78%) of healthcare professionals working in Ethiopian hospitals are not using physical exercise as a strategy to prevent NCDs. Increased specialization (AOR=20.203, p<0.001), many service years (AOR=0.041, p=0.014), young age (AOR=19.871, p<0.001), and being men (AOR=0.269, p<0.001) were predictors of using physical exercise as a strategy for NCDs prevention. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals’ utilization of physical exercise as a strategy for NCDs prevention was inadequate in Ethiopia. Given the increasing burden of NCD disease in Ethiopia, training nurses, physicians and medical managers to use physical exercise as an NCD prevention strategy is essential at undergraduate level for as well as through specialized courses once they are qualified.