Physical activity of patients with schizophrenia in Nigeria: Distribution and correlates

Abstract

BackgroundExcess morbidity among patients with schizophrenia has been linked to physical inactivity. Unfortunately, very few patients with schizophrenia engage in a health-enhancing level of physical activity (PA). There are geographic and cultural variations in levels of PA. The aim of this study was to examine PA levels in Nigerian patients with schizophrenia and to identify the clinical as well as sociodemographic correlates of PA in such patients. MethodsThe patients were recruited from the Department of Psychiatry, University College Hospital, Ibadan, and the Psychiatry Unit of the State Hospital, Adeoyo, Ibadan, Nigeria. We assessed their physical activity (PA) with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Short Form. The symptom severity of patients with schizophrenia was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Anthropometric measures such as waist circumference, weight and height were also taken. We then explored the factors that were independently associated with PA using binary logistic regression models. ResultsTwo hundred and fifteen patients with schizophrenia were included in the study. The majority of the participants 143 (67.1%) had a low level of PA. Physical activity was associated with the remission status of the participants (P = 0.03). The level of education (r = −0.18 p = 0.01), waist circumference (r = −0.17p = 0.02) and the severity of depression (r = −0.15 p = 0.03), were inversely correlated with the level of physical activity. Social and occupational functioning were positively correlated with the level of physical activity (r = 0.24 p < 0.01). Psychopathology, namely excitement (P4) on the PANSS scale was positively correlated with PA (r = 0.18 p = 0.01), while a lack of judgment and lack of insight were negatively correlated with PA (r = −0.14 p = 0.04). The level of education, waist circumference, social and occupational functioning were independently associated with PA (all p < 0.05). ConclusionThe level of physical activity in the majority of patients with schizophrenia from Nigeria is low. Such physical activity is associated with certain sociodemographic and clinical correlates. These can be foci of targeted intervention to improve PA.