Abstract
BACKGROUND: Regular PA is one of the most important practices that a person can do to stay healthy. Physical inactivity has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Workforces are facing health issues such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due to sedentary lifestyle.
 
 OBJECTIVE: To identify the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) towards PA amongst medical academic staff at Fiji National University (FNU). 
 
 METHODS: This is a mixed methods study design conducted amongst all academic and senior management staff at the 5 schools at College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS) at FNU in 2019. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data which was authenticated and face and content validated in a pilot study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to guide Focus Group Discussion (FGD) amongst senior managers at CMNHS. Descriptive analysis was conductedfor quantitative data while thematic analysis was done to analyze the qualitative data.
 
 RESULTS: The knowledge on PA was seen to be at a medium level 19.2 (±2.8), while attitude was found to be of high level 32.62 (±2.86) followed by practice seen as a good practice 11.93 (±1.39) amongst academic staffs of CMNHS. Four major themes were identified from the qualitative including; types of PA available in schools, university contribution towards PA, barriers of PA in CMNHS and recommendations for PA.
 
 CONCLUSION: CMNHS needs to strengthen the wellness approaches that increase opportunities towards promoting or engaging into PA related work. Further research is warranted to determine on effective ways to increase PA among academic staff atCMNHS.
Highlights
Physical Activity (PA) is a broad complex human behavior which refers to activity undertaken in a variety of contexts
The knowledge on PA was seen to be at a medium level 19.2 (±2.8), while attitude was found to be of high level 32.62 (±2.86) followed by practice seen as a good practice 11.93 (±1.39) amongst academic staffs of CMNHS
Further research is warranted to determine on effective ways to increase PA among academic staff atCMNHS
Summary
Physical Activity (PA) is a broad complex human behavior which refers to activity undertaken in a variety of contexts. Two thirds of the world’s populations are not sufficiently physically active (WHO, 2007). As revealed by the World Health Organization (WHO) insufficient PA is reported to be the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality and contributes to 6% of deaths globally (WHO, 2010). According to the 2014 Global Status Report on NCDs, insufficient PA contributes to 3.2 million deaths and 69.3 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) each year (NCD Alliance, 2017). Lack of PA has been cited as a risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs), obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoporosis and cancer (WHO, 2007). Physical inactivity has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Workforces are facing health issues such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due to sedentary lifestyle
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
