Social cognitive predictors of physical activity among health workers

Background: In Malaysia, about 1 in every 3 adults are inactive. Health workers do not perform better in physical activity although they are seen as role models. Understanding of social cognitive predictors is important to motivate them to initiate and maintain regular physical activity. Objective: The study aimed to determine social cognitive predictors of physical activity among health workers. Methodology: An analytical cross sectional study was done among 310 health workers recruited by simple random sampling using validated self-administered questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to determine the predictors. Results: The respondents spent 141 minutes (IQR=182.7) in total physical activity per day. Leisure time physical activity contributed to 16.6% of the total physical activity, with the remaining were non-leisure time physical activities during occupational, household chores and transportation. Leisure time physical activity had significant positive correlation with goal setting (r=0.344, p<0.001), self-efficacy (r=0.283, p<0.001), friends support (r=0.305, p<0.001), outcome expectation (r=0.284, p<0.001), family support (r=0.193, p=0.001) and male gender (p=0.002), while had significant negative correlation with barriers (r=-0.256, p<0.001) and present of family history of medical illness (p=0.029). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis found that 23.0% (adjusted r2 = 0.218, p=0.029) of variance in leisure time physical activity was explained by social cognitive predictors with goal setting (r2=0.118, p< 0.001), barriers (r2=0.046, p<0.001), self-efficacy (r2=0.033, p<0.001), friend support (r2=0.021, p=0.004) and outcome expectation (r2=0.012, p=0.029). Gender added an additional of 1.8% of the variance (r2=0.018, p=0.007). Conclusion: Social cognitive predictors are useful to explain leisure time physical activity. The findings can be used in development of intervention to encourage behavioural change.

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