Knowledge of and Intention to Participate in Physical Activity Programs and Their Associated Sociodemographic Factors in People with High Blood Pressure in a Rural Area of Bangladesh: Initial Investigation from a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Fakir M Amirul Islam,Bruce R Thompson,Ralph Maddison,Elisabeth A Lambert,Mohammad Arzan Hosen,Gavin W Lambert,Mohammad Ariful Islam

doi:10.3390/ijerph18189561

Abstract

This initial investigation aimed to investigate the knowledge of the health benefits of physical activity (PA) and attitudes towards participation in PA. The study recruited 307 people aged 30–75 years with hypertension as part of a cluster randomized controlled trial from a rural area in Bangladesh. Of the 307 participants, 135 participated less than 2.5 h of physical activity per week, from which we collected data on attitudes toward PA. Regression analysis and Rasch analysis were used. More than 85% of homemakers, employees or businesspersons were willing to take part in PA. Based on the combined score from the knowledge and attitude items, 46% of people endorsed PA programs; proportions were higher in men than women (53% vs. 41%). After adjusting for covariates, men (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.50, 1.72–7.11) compared to women and people with at least primary levels of schooling (OR 3.06, 95% CI, 1.27–7.38) compared with those with no education were more likely to organize or take part in any PA programs. People have positive attitudes towards PA but do not feel obligated to participate in PA programs. Future programs are needed to promote awareness and motivational interventions for PA, especially targeting women and people with low education levels, should be developed and implemented.

Highlights

The burden of high blood pressure is considerable, with an estimated 1.13 billion people globally having hypertension, with prevalence increasing in low–middle-income countries [1]
The present study involved baseline data collected as part of a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) for lowering blood pressure by changing lifestyle conducted in 307 participants aged 30–75 years in the Banshgram Union of the Narail District in Bangladesh
According to metabolic equivalent task (MET)-min physical activity, 16% had less than 600 Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET)-min per week and 65% had a high physical activity level of more than 3000 MET-min per week

Summary

Introduction

The burden of high blood pressure is considerable, with an estimated 1.13 billion people globally having hypertension, with prevalence increasing in low–middle-income countries [1]. Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are important modifiable risk factors associated with hypertension and all-cause mortality [3,4,5,6,7], with more than 5 million people dying due to being physically inactive [8,9]. Physical activity lowers the risk for all-cause mortality and chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease [10,11,12]. While studies suggest that developments of various community-based public health intervention programs are needed to increase awareness in maintaining recommended.

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