ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It is uncertain whether physical activity is sufficiently utilized as a complementary therapy in diabetes management by the patients visiting Nigerian hospitals. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the level of physical activity of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients attending tertiary hospital clinics, and investigates the factors that may expose them to sedentariness. METHODS: Physical activity survey was carried out on 248 T2D patients randomly selected from the University College Hospital, Ibadan, and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria; and 248 matched non-diabetic participants. Physical activity level was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Socio-demographic information in addition to any previous expert advice on physical activity was recorded. Chi-Squared tests and regression analysis were conducted at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Significant difference existed between the physical activity levels of the T2D patients and the nondiabetic participants (c2 = 57.1, p = 0.0001). Most of the T2D patients were moderately active (62.1%) and less sedentary (27.4%) compared to the non-diabetic participants who were less moderately active (30.6%) and more sedentary (37.5%). Being female doubles the odds of being sedentary (OR = 2.02; 95% CI = 1.52-3.18) likewise increasing age, paid employment and fewer sessions of expert advice on physical activities encourage sedentariness. CONCLUSION: The T2D patients were more physically active at moderate levels than the non-diabetic participants, although, a substantial proportion of the T2D patients were sedentary. Lack of, or infrequent expert advice on physical activity, older age, being female and in paid employment may contribute to sedentariness among the participants.
