Physical activity levels during Covid-19 among nurses at a Saudi teaching hospital: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have revealed that despite evidence of the advantages of exercise, nurses have one of the lowest levels of physical activity participation across all occupational groups. Methods: a cross sectional study was done on 316 nurses at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, work conditions, smoking status and chronic diseases .The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess the physical activity level. Results: The nurses in the trial had a considerably higher number of days spent doing vigorous and moderate physical activities a week before Covid-19, as well as spending more time doing them. Furthermore, they had a considerably higher percentage of days walking for at least 10 minutes at a time in a random week before the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), 32.6 percent, 40.2 percent, and 27.2 percent of the nurses in the study, respectively, had a low, moderate, or high level of physical activity, compared to 3.2 percent, 36.4 percent, and 60.4 percent a week before the pandemic. Nurses who were married, lived in villas, and earned a monthly salary of 10,000-20,000 S.R. had a higher level of physical activity. Conclusions: Hospital management should provide in-service education courses on healthy behaviors and physical activity to nurses in order to maintain their health and ensure higher levels of performance. Keywords: physical, activity, Covid-19, nurses, teaching, Jeddah