Exploring the Relationship Between Having a Medical and Family History of Non-Communicable Diseases and Levels of Physical Activity among Staff of Banking Institutions in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity is among the leading risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Staff of banks in Ghana are generally considered to be among the elite in society; persons very likely to draw the link between personal health risk and activities aimed at disease prevention. This study explored how the level of physical activity undertaken by staff of banks in Accra was influenced by their medical and family history of NCDs. Methods: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was modified, adapted and used in a survey among staff of banks in two commercial districts of Accra. Descriptive analysis of the socio demographic data, knowledge/attitudes towards physical activity and medical history of staff was performed. Their total walking time per day, expressed in minutes, was used to classify physical activity levels into either below or within the WHO recommended physical activity level. This was then used as an outcome variable in bivariate and multivariate analysis that explored medical and family history of NCDs, opportunities for physical activity and socio demographic characteristics as possible predictors. Results: A total of 300 (161 males and 139 females) bank staff >30 years of age participated in the study. Their mean age (+/_SD) was 36 years (+/_5.3). There were no significant associations between age (OR 0.88, 95% CI O.45-1.71), medical history of diabetes/hypertension (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.33-2.52) and levels of physical activity. However compared to their male counterparts, females staff were 1.2 times more likely (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.61-2.22) to be within the WHO recommended levels of physical activity. Compared with staff who walked less, staff who walked 15-30 minutes from their car parks or drop-off points to their office seats were 2.9 times more likely (OR 2.88, 95% CI 0.99-8.37) to meet the WHO recommended levels of physical activity. Unmarried staff were more likely to meet the WHO recommendation than married staff (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.11-4.84). Conclusion: The level of physical activity undertaken by the staff surveyed in this study was not influenced by their NCD risk based on medical history. Education on risk perception is needed to get vulnerable staff to be more physically active. Policies should be made for car parks sited at distances that will promote walking as physical activity.