Impact of Knowledge and Attitude on Saudis’ Physical Activity Practice and Inactivity Barriers: A Questionnaire-based Study

Naif Albalawi; Moath M. Alshehri; Moshari A. Al-ghamdi; Mohammed A. Alshehri; Mohamed S. Abdel-Maksoud; Mohammed M. H.  Al-Gayyar

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.4983

Authors

Naif Albalawi PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Moath M. Alshehri PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Moshari A. Al-ghamdi PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed A. Alshehri PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed S. Abdel-Maksoud Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed M. H. Al-Gayyar Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; PharmD Program Coordinator, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.4983

Keywords:

Physical activity knowledge, Physical activity attitude, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Community participation in physical activity is considered a major public health preference of WHO. Saudi Arabia in the last decades faced many tremendous economic changes leading to adoption of western dietary habits associated with sedentary lifestyle.

AIM: We aimed to study the relationship between both physical activity knowledge and attitude of community to the practice of individuals.

METHODS: We used a questionnaire consists of a mixture of closed-ended questions. Participants were recruited through direct meetings in local markets, schools, and workplaces. Seven hundred and sixty six individuals agreed to participate.

RESULTS: Overall correct answers to questions about importance of physical activity were 76.58%. The predominance of participants’ attitude was to establish public places for physical activity in each neighborhood (92.1%). Participants acknowledged that they exercise to improve their health (47.5%). Participants mainly perform light exercises (47.2%) on basis of 1–3 times weekly (48.9%). About 90.8% of participants admitted that they like to increase duration of their physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall physical activity practice of participants’ needs encourage overcoming obstacles that prevent individuals from practicing especially lack of time.

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