Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in occupational groups from Papua New Guinea: Self-reported patterns and correlates

Abstract

BackgroundRapid economic growth and urbanisation in developing countries has led to changes in lifestyle behaviours and contributed to the risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as heart conditions, type 2 diabetes, obesity and cancer. Decreases in occupational physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) are of particular concern. Whereas the evidence base for PA and SB in workers from developed countries is extensive, fewer studies have investigated PA and SB issues in occupational groups from developing countries such as Papua New Guinea (PNG), in the Pacific region currently experiencing major economic change.Aims To contribute insights for health promotion action, the aims of this thesis are to measure and compare the patterns and correlates of self-reported PA and SB in different occupational groups from PNG. The aims are addressed by a detailed review of evidence in developing countries, progressing to the main thesis study on PA, SB, and socio-demographic factors associated with these behaviours in groups of office, blue-collar and retail workers.MethodsFollowing ethics approvals, a convenience sample (n = 402) of office, blue-collar and retail workers was recruited from public and private companies/organisations based in urban areas of Madang Province, PNG. Total and work-related PA and SB data were collected over 6 weeks (October 20th to November 27th, 2018) using an interview-administered survey comprising of items from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form) and the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire. Survey items also captured other lifestyle behaviours (e.g. smoking, alcohol use), and socio-demographic status (e.g. job type, education); physical measures (height and weight to calculate BMI) were taken by trained researchers. Tests of difference and logistic regression were used to analyse variations between occupational groups, and sociodemographic correlates for total and work time PA and SB.ResultsA total of 398 workers (office [n = 213], blue-collar [n = 133] and retail [n = 52]; 41% aged 26 - 40 years; BMI mean ± SD = 26.31 ± 5.097; n = 208 females) were entered into analyses. Overall, 97% (97% office workers, 99% blue-collar, 98% retail workers) of these workers achieved recommended PA guidelines (>600 MET-mins/week), with PA mostly achieved through walking, as opposed to moderate or vigorous PA; the median total sitting time was 7 hrs/day (Inter Quartile Range [IQR] 5, 9). For occupational comparisons, total PA was higher in retail workers compared to office and blue-collar workers although differences were not significant. Significantly higher (p<0.05) sitting time (total ≥7 hrs/day; and ≥50% of weekly work time) was reported in office compared to blue-collar and retail workers. Similarly, median percentage work hours spent sitting was higher in office compared to blue-collar and retail workers (Table 2. OSPAQ). In adjusted logistic regression analyses, compared to office workers the odds of high sitting in blue collar and retail workers were lower for total and workplace sitting (Table 4). Additionally, participants ≥40 years of age were more likely to report high total sitting and workplace sitting than participants <40 years.Conclusions and RecommendationsThis is the first study to investigate PA and SB differences between PNG occupational groups. While most participants met PA guidelines through walking, the data from the current study suggests that, compared to blue-collar and retail workers, older and office workers in PNG are a high need group for SB intervention. Piloting and use of a validated survey were study strengths. However, the limitation of using self-report measures highlights the need for future studies to use objective monitoring of PA and SB levels in different groups of PNG workers to confirm these results.