Evaluation of the Level of Physical Activity among People Aged 50 and over Followed at the Abidjan Civil Servants’ Hospital in 2022 ()
1. Introduction
Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure above the resting level [1] [2]. It includes all activities of daily life, school and work, and leisure activities, whether structured or not [2]. In children and adolescents, it improves bone health, promotes healthy growth and muscle development, and improves motor and cognitive development. In pregnant and post-partum women, it reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, excessive weight gain during pregnancy, childbirth complications, post-partum depression and neonatal complications [3]. In adults and the elderly, it reduces the risk of all-cause mortality. It improves mental health, cognitive health and sleep. More specifically, in the elderly, it helps to strengthen muscles, improve cardiac condition and promote independence and home care in optimal conditions [3]. Its promotion, extended to the whole population, has become a public health issue [4]. It is a major determinant of health status, physical condition, maintenance of independence with advancing age and quality of life for people at all ages [5]. It is promoted as a key contributor to healthy aging and to improving the functional status of frail elderly people or those in the process of becoming frail [4] [6]. It contributes to successful aging in good health (physical, mental and social), with benefits for the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of non-communicable diseases (chronic illnesses) such as cardiovascular disease (heart disease, strokes), diabetes, and breast and colon cancer. It also helps prevent major risk factors such as high blood pressure (hypertension), excess weight (overweight and obesity) and contributes to a better quality of life and well-being [1] [7]. Given the importance of physical activity for public health, all countries are encouraged to ensure regular monitoring of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in populations to take account of the dual priority of the WHO Global Action Plan to Promote Physical Activity 2018-2030: to reduce the global level of physical inactivity, as well as disparities and levels of sedentary behaviour at national level among populations defined as the least active [1]. For this reason, epidemiological monitoring of physical activity is of crucial importance. However, given the difficulty of understanding the reality of physical activity among the elderly in Côte d’Ivoire, we have undertaken the present study, entitled “Evaluation of the level of physical activity among people aged 50 and over followed at the Hôpital des Fonctionnaires d’Abidjan in 2022”, with a view to contributing to the promotion of an active lifestyle and the fight against sedentary lifestyles.
2. Methods
2.1. Study Framework, Type and Population
This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. It took place over a period of 11 months, including 3 months for data collection (June to August 2022) and involved a sample of 113 people aged 50 and over, selected on a purposive basis. The study was conducted at the Abidjan Civil Servants’ Hospital, which opened in 1962. In 1999, it was sold by the State to the Mutuelle Générale des Fonctionnaires et Agents de l’Etat de Côte d’Ivoire (MUGEF-CI), at the request of the civil servants’ trade unions. Despite this transfer, the medical centre continued to be managed by the Ministry of Health. The medical centre provides unscheduled consultations without appointment (general medicine, paediatrics, gynaecology, ear, nose and throat, dental care) and scheduled consultations with appointment (cardiology, gastroenterology, internal medicine, pneumology, ophthalmology, dermatology, diabetology, psychiatry).
2.2. Collection of Study Data
The data was collected using a questionnaire that had been previously tested and then adjusted to gather information on the general characteristics of the respondents (socio-demographic data, nutritional status, use of psychoactive substances, medical history) and levels of physical activity. In order to ensure confidentiality, the survey was conducted in a dedicated room before being received by the consulting physicians. Participants were made aware of the objectives and benefits of the study beforehand. However, only those who were informed and consented to take part in the study were interviewed.
2.3. Physical Activity Levels
We used the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) to assess the level of physical activity among our respondents. The GPAQ was developed by the WHO on the basis of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to investigate physical activity (frequency, duration and intensity of activity) in three dimensions (activity at work, during travel and recreational or leisure activities) as well as sedentary behaviour [8]. Unlike the Recent International Physical Activity Questionnaire (RPAQ), it refers to a single week (rather than the last four weeks), which results in less memory bias. It provides reproducible data, has a moderate to strong positive correlation with the IPAQ and a previously validated and accepted measure of physical activity. It is an appropriate and acceptable instrument for monitoring physical activity in population health surveillance systems [9]. It has good to very good test-retest reliability. However, it has low to moderate concurrent validity when GPAQ data are compared with other methods of measuring physical activity, such as the accelerometer [10]. The GPAQ consists of 16 questions which are used to obtain a score to classify individuals into 3 levels of physical activity: low, medium and high. The criteria for these levels are as follows: high: 7 days or more of a combination of walking, moderate or vigorous intensity activities; moderate: 5 days or more of walking, moderate or vigorous intensity activities; low: A person meeting none of the above criteria falls into this category [8].
2.4. Data Analysis
Epi Data software was used for data entry. SPSS software was used for data analysis. The analysis began with a description of the sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle characteristics of the patients included in the study. A simple description of the different variables studied was carried out. Quantitative data were described by mean, standard deviation, median and mode, while qualitative variables were described by proportions. The relationship between prevalence and the various characteristics of the sample was analysed using logistic regression. To do this, the variables selected were those associated with the dependent variables at the 5% threshold (P < 0.05) in both the bivariate and multivariate analyses. The dependent variable was the level of physical activity, with three modalities (1 = limited or low; 2 = average or moderate; 3 = high or intense). The independent variables were selected on the basis of scientific knowledge of the factors associated with physical activity. They included socio-demographic variables (age, sex, level of education), medical history of chronic pathologies, alcohol consumption and nutritional status.
3. Results
3.1. Characteristics of the Study Population
With a mean age of 60.58 ± 7.4 years, the majority of study participants were male (72.57%), lived in Abidjan (84.9%) and had at least secondary education (98.23%), including 50.54% with higher education. Those who were working at the time of data collection represented 57.52%. With regard to the use of psychoactive substances, we noted that 4.42% (5/113) of respondents currently smoke regularly (active smoking) and more than half (53.10%) drink alcohol occasionally. No regular alcohol consumption was found among our respondents. With regard to tobacco, of the five respondents, only one claimed to be a regular user. The medical history of chronic pathologies was dominated by arterial hypertension (44.25), arthritis (25.66%), diabetes (18.58%) and peptic ulcer (11.50%). In terms of nutrition, 42.48% of respondents were overweight, including 4.43% who were obese. Those with a normal nutritional status accounted for 57.52%.
3.2. Physical Activity Levels and Associated Factors
In this study, almost half the respondents (48.67%) had a limited or low level of physical activity (Figure 1).
Table 1 shows the bivariate analysis of the characteristics potentially associated with physical activity levels in our respondents. There was a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) between physical activity level and the following factors: sex (P = 0.038), alcohol (P = 0.001) and diabetes (P = 0.001). However, we found no statistically significant difference between the level of physical activity and the following variables: age (P = 0.075), level of education (P = 0.636), participant status (P = 0.166), nutritional status (P = 0.315), hypertension (P = 0.050) and osteoarthritis (P = 0.631).
Figure 1. Distribution of respondents by level of physical activity.
Table 1. Bivariate analysis of respondent characteristics potentially associated with physical activity levels.
Variables studied |
Physical activity levels |
P |
Limit |
Moderate and intense |
Workforce |
% |
Workforce |
% |
|
Socio-demographic characteristics |
Gender |
Male |
35 |
42.68 |
47 |
57.32 |
0.038 |
Female |
20 |
64.52 |
11 |
35.48 |
Age (in years) |
50 to 64 |
20 |
64.52 |
11 |
35.48 |
0.075 |
65 and more |
31 |
42.47 |
42 |
57.53 |
Education level |
At its most primary |
24 |
60.00 |
16 |
40.00 |
0.636 |
Secondary |
26 |
46.43 |
30 |
53.57 |
Higher |
28 |
58.88 |
28 |
49.12 |
Participant status |
Active |
28 |
43.08 |
37 |
56.92 |
0.166 |
Retired |
27 |
56.27 |
21 |
43.75 |
Nutritional characteristics |
Nutritional status |
Overload weight |
26 |
54.17 |
22 |
45.83 |
0.315 |
Normal |
29 |
44.62 |
36 |
55.38 |
Alcohol consumption |
Yes |
25 |
47.17 |
28 |
52.83 |
0.001 |
No |
30 |
50.00 |
30 |
50.00 |
Medical history |
HBP |
Yes |
26 |
54.17 |
38 |
59.38 |
0.050 |
No |
29 |
59.18 |
20 |
40.82 |
Diabetes |
Yes |
38 |
40.86 |
55 |
59.14 |
0.001 |
No |
17 |
85.00 |
03 |
15.00 |
Osteoarthritis |
Yes |
42 |
50.00 |
42 |
50.00 |
0.631 |
No |
12 |
44.82 |
16 |
55.17 |
In logistic regression, apart from the “Alcohol consumption” variable, the other two variables (sex, diabetes) which had a P-value of less than 0.05 in the bivariate analysis and were introduced into the overall model, were retained in the final model. The factors predicting the limit of physical activity in people aged 50 and over were being female (P = 0.042, OR = 2.67, 95%-CI = [1.04 - 6.87]) and having diabetes (P = 0.014, OR = 5.81, 95%-CI = [1.43 - 23.57]). Compared with men, the women in the study were 2.67 times more likely to have limited physical activity. Diabetics were 5.81 times more likely to have borderline physical activity than non-diabetics (Table 2).
Table 2. Multivariate analysis of factors associated with borderline physical activity levels in people aged 50 and over.
Variables studied |
Adjusted Odds Ratio |
P |
[95% IC] |
Gender |
Male |
1 |
|
|
Female |
2.67 |
0.042 |
[1.04 - 6.87] |
Alcohol consumption |
No |
1 |
|
|
Yes |
1.22 |
0.37 |
[0.21 - 6.11] |
Diabetes |
No |
1 |
|
|
Yes |
5.81 |
0.014 |
[1.43 - 23.57] |
4. Discussion
The aim of this study was both to assess the level of physical activity and to identify the associated determining factors in people aged 50 or over being followed at the Abidjan Civil Servants’ Hospital in 2022. The study has a number of limitations that are worth noting. Its cross-sectional design makes it impossible to study the cause-effect relationship, unlike a longitudinal survey [11]. In addition, it only concerned people aged 50 and over attending the Abidjan Civil Servants’ Hospital. Subjects under 50 should have been included in the study in order to measure their levels of physical activity in the different populations. Another limitation is that of a quantitative study. In this respect, it would be interesting if the explanations were enriched and deepened by a qualitative component by conducting a mixed study. Finally, there are several methods of measuring physical activity (observation, diary, activity recall and actimetry). Activity recall, using the GPAQ questionnaire as the measuring instrument, is a declarative method which has its limitations, in particular memory bias, subject interpretation bias, and over- or under-estimation of energy expenditure [12]. Nevertheless, these limitations do not prevent conclusions from being drawn from the study, especially as physical activity recall is a method that can be used in epidemiological surveys and is valid for classifying subjects into physical activity categories [12] [13]. In addition, to our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind that could serve as a reference for future research in Côte d’Ivoire which will also take into account all factors, including psycho-social aspects and environmental factors.
Data from surveys are not always convergent or even consistent, particularly as regards the definition of the variables studied and the fields of study, recruitment methods, the quality of the surveys, and the randomness of the samples. In terms of physical activity, assessments generally come from a variety of sources which base their estimates on varying definitions and criteria: the reality observed (sport or physical activity), the phenomenon to be measured (level of activity), the time period considered (week or year). These differences lead to highly variable estimates [12]. In this study, we noted that almost half the respondents (48.67%) had a low level of physical activity. In Nigeria, a study by Owoeye OBA et al. [14] of 305 civil servants aged between 25 and 65 in Lagos State revealed a low level of physical activity in 43.3% of participants (41.7% men and 54.9% women). In South Africa, Mlangeni L et al. [15], in a study of a sample of 2,6339 respondents aged 15 and over, found that 57.4% were not physically active, 14.8% were moderately active and 27.8% were intensely physically active. In contrast to African countries, higher proportions of subjects were found to have an intense or moderate level of activity in Europe. For example, in Spain, the study by Parra-Rizo et al. [16] found that among the participants (mean age = 69.65 years), 46.1% had a high level of physical activity, 41.6% a moderate level and 12.3% a low level. In France, according to Deschamps V [17], 53% of women and 70% of men met the WHO recommendations for physical activity. According to the same source, one adult in five combined the two risk factors, i.e. a high level of physical inactivity and a low level of physical activity, below the recommendations [17]. It is important to stress that in developed countries, the promotion of physical activities is increasingly favoured among the general population and among adults and senior citizens in particular for the prevention of chronic non-transmissible diseases. On the other hand, in most sub-Saharan African countries, public authorities continue to perceive physical activity and sport as activities reserved for young people and sporting competition, or as simple leisure activities for a certain privileged category of people [18].
The high proportion of subjects in our study with a limited level of activity could be linked to the poor promotion of lifestyles conducive to physical activity and the absence of a genuine policy to combat sedentary behaviour. In Côte d’Ivoire, actions to promote physical activity and sport are generally limited to the World Day for Physical Activity, celebrated each year on 6 April by the WHO. According to Ilboudo S [19], it would be desirable to develop a physical activity and sports policy that takes into account the issues of local infrastructures, the quality of physical activity and sports activities and the notion of time slots for practising physical activity and sports on a large scale and on a regular basis. However, the WHO [1] stresses that there is no single political solution. In view of the health and social costs of low levels of physical activity, it is important to identify predictive factors for preventive action. With this in mind, the results of this study found a positive correlation between gender, diabetes and level of physical activity. In fact, women (2.66 times more likely to have limited physical activity than men) and diabetics (5.81 times more likely to have limited physical activity than non-diabetics) have the lowest levels of physical activity. With regard to women, other studies have made the same observation [14] [15] [20], namely that being a woman reduced the probability of engaging in moderate or vigorous physical activity. For example, in Burundi, a study carried out on a population of 332 subjects aged 18 to 67 practising maintenance physical activities in specialised centres or in an informal setting, the authors reported that men engaged more than women (79.22% vs. 20.78%, P < 0.001) in maintenance physical activities outside their working hours [18] In a study carried out in Côte d’Ivoire by Méité Z and Yao NLF [21], the results revealed that the social representations of the physical activities are different according to sex, age and socio-professional status. Health, development and social benefits are the elements that explain the attachment of women to physical activities. For men, physical activities are good because they provide health and fulfillment, make it possible to make friends. For young people, Friendship, pleasure, health explain their participation in these activities. As for those over 44, these activities contribute to well-being and health. Workers find in the practice of physical [21]. As for the low level of physical activity among diabetics, it is important to stress that regular physical activity, like diet and medication, is an essential part of the diabetes treatment plan. In France, article L.1172.1 (LOI n˚2022-296 du 2 mars 2022—art. 2) of the Public Health Code states that “As part of the care pathway for patients with a long-term condition, the attending physician may prescribe physical activity adapted to the patient’s pathology, physical capacities and medical risk”. At the Abidjan Civil Servants’ Hospital, the setting for our study, the creation of a “physical activity and sport” referral post has proved essential in order to implement adapted physical activity programmes for frail people or those with long-term conditions such as diabetes. The creation of such a post or service will require the establishment of a multidisciplinary collaborative team (doctor, sports medicine educator, physiologist, nurse, dietician, physiotherapist, etc.) to ensure comprehensive care incorporating not only physical activity but also nutritional and psychological aspects.
5. Conclusion
Almost half the respondents had a limited or low level of physical activity. Being female or diabetic was predictive factor for physical inactivity among our respondents. Further studies with larger samples should provide a better understanding of the prevalence and factors associated with the level of physical activity among the different populations living in Côte d’Ivoire, in order to confirm or refute these results. With this in mind, it is essential to set up a national organisation or observatory made up of physical activity experts, physical activity researchers, epidemiologists, decision-makers and public health practitioners who will catalogue and analyse national data on physical activity.
Acknowledgements
The authors thanks to the management of the Abidjan Civil Servants’ Hospital (Côte d’Ivoire).
Appendix
GLobal Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ)
WHO STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance
Surveillance and Population-Based Prevention
Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases Department
World Health Organization
20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
GPAQ
Physical Activity |
Next I am going to ask you about the time you spend doing different types of physical activity in a typical week. Please answer these questions even if you do not consider yourself to be a physically active person. Think first about the time you spend doing work. Think of work as the things that you have to do such as paid or unpaid work, study/training, household chores, harvesting food/crops, fishing or hunting for food, seeking employment. [Insert other examples if needed]. In answering the following questions “vigorous-intensity activities” are activities that require hard physical effort and cause large increases in breathing or heart rate, “moderate-intensity activities” are activities that require moderate physical effort and cause small increases in breathing or heart rate. |
Questions |
Response |
Code |
Activity at work |
1 |
Does your work involve vigorous-intensity activity that causes large increases in breathing or heart rate like [carrying or lifting heavy loads, digging or construction work] for at least 10 minutes continuously? [INSERT EXAMPLES] (USE SHOWCARD) |
Yes |
1 |
P1 |
No |
2 If No, go to P 4 |
2 |
In a typical week, on how many days do you do vigorous-intensity activities as part of your work? |
Number of days |
└─┘ |
P2 |
3 |
How much time do you spend doing vigorous-intensity activities at work on a typical day? |
Hours:minutes |
└─┴─┘:└─┴─┘ Hrs mins |
P3 (a-b) |
4 |
Does your work involve moderate-intensity activity that causes small increases in breathing or heart rate such as brisk walking
[or carrying light loads] for at least 10 minutes continuously? [INSERT EXAMPLES] (USE SHOWCARD) |
Yes |
1 |
P4 |
No |
2 If No, go to P 7 |
5 |
In a typical week, on how many days do you do
moderate-intensity activities as part of your work? |
Number of days |
└─┘ |
P5 |
6 |
How much time do you spend doing moderate-intensity
activities at work on a typical day? |
Hours:minutes |
└─┴─┘:└─┴─┘ hrs mins |
P6 (a-b) |
Travel to and from places |
The next questions exclude the physical activities at work that you have already mentioned. Now I would like to ask you about the usual way you travel to and from places. For example to work, for shopping, to market, to place of worship. [insert other examples if needed] |
7 |
Do you walk or use a bicycle (pedal cycle) for at least 10 minutes continuously to get to and from places? |
Yes |
1 |
P7 |
No |
2 If No, go to P 10 |
8 |
In a typical week, on how many days do you walk or bicycle for at least 10 minutes continuously to get to and from places? |
Number of days |
└─┘ |
P8 |
9 |
How much time do you spend walking or bicycling for travel on a typical day? |
Hours:minutes |
└─┴─┘:└─┴─┘ hrs mins |
P9 (a-b) |
Recreational activities |
The next questions exclude the work and transport activities that you have already mentioned. Now I would like to ask you about sports, fitness and recreational activities (leisure), [insert relevant terms]. |
10 |
Do you do any vigorous-intensity sports, fitness or recreational (leisure) activities that cause large increases in breathing or heart rate like [running or football,] for at least 10 minutes
continuously? [INSERT EXAMPLES] (USE SHOWCARD) |
Yes |
1 |
P10 |
No |
2 If No, go to P 13 |
11 |
In a typical week, on how many days do you do
vigorous-intensity sports, fitness or recreational (leisure) activities? |
Number of days |
└─┘ |
P11 |
12 |
How much time do you spend doing vigorous-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities on a typical day? |
Hours:minutes |
└─┴─┘:└─┴─┘ hrs mins |
P12 (a-b) |
Physical Activity (recreational activities) contd. |
Questions |
Response |
Code |
13 |
Do you do any moderate-intensity sports, fitness or recreational (leisure) activities that causes a small increase in breathing or heart rate such as brisk walking, (cycling, swimming,
volleyball)for at least 10 minutes continuously? [INSERT EXAMPLES] (USE SHOWCARD) |
Yes |
1 |
P13 |
No |
2 If No, go to P 16 |
14 |
In a typical week, on how many days do you do moderate-intensity sports, fitness or recreational (leisure) activities? |
Number of days |
└─┘ |
P14 |
15 |
How much time do you spend doing moderate-intensity sports, fitness or recreational (leisure) activities on a typical day? |
Hours:minutes |
└─┴─┘:└─┴─┘ hrs mins |
P15 (a-b) |
Sedentary behaviour |
The following question is about sitting or reclining at work, at home, getting to and from places, or with friends including time spent [sitting at a desk, sitting with friends, travelling in car, bus, train, reading, playing cards or watching television], but do not include time spent sleeping. [INSERT EXAMPLES] (USE SHOWCARD) |
16 |
How much time do you usually spend sitting or reclining on a typical day? |
Hours:minutes |
└─┴─┘:└─┴─┘ hrs min s |
P16 (a-b) |