Physical activity and health promotion guidelines for Eswatini University students

Abstract

ABSTRACT Eswatini university students reportedly live unhealthy lifestyles, increasing their risk of developing non-communicable diseases prompting researchers to create evidence-based physical activity (PA) and health promotion (HP) guidelines, which are currently non-existent. The study aimed to develop physical activity and health promotion reference guidelines for Eswatini University students. A mixed-method approach was used in this non-experimental, descriptive quantitative, qualitative, cross-sectional research study design. HP was measured using piloted health behavior questionnaires, and PA was measured using Omron walking style pro-2.0 pedometers. The study reviewed PA and HP intervention articles on guidelines globally to come up with themes for the guidelines. The University of Eswatini was purposively selected according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. From a population of 4020 students, two hundred and thirty-six (236) were randomly selected to participate in the study, with 166 students consenting. University students showed poor healthy habits including insufficient PA levels thus proposed guidelines for PA include at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity daily and aiming to reach 10,000 steps per day. The proposed HP guidelines include smoking control, campus settings like a cafeteria and gyms, improved eating habits, health education, screening for chronic diseases and sexual health, improved sleeping habits, counselling, and mental health services. Evidence-based PA and HP guidelines were developed after unhealthy habits were identified among Eswatini University students. The PA and HP guidelines should be used in conjunction with the given sources and charters, including the Ottawa, Edmonton, Okanagan Charters, and the Health Promoting University (HPU) concept/healthy universities approach.