The effect of psychometric variables in predicting physical activity behavior among diabetes mellitus type-2 patients

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus type-2 (DMT-2), the most common endocrine disease in the world, is a major global public health-related issue. Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable diseases globally, and there is substantial evidence that it is epidemic in many low- and middle-income countries. It is widely recognized that physical activity is important in preventing and treating DMT-2. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of physical activity among DMT-2 patients attending Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH), Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 at JUSH, Southwest Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select 322 diabetes patients. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire on interviewer-administered basis. A summary of descriptive statistics, and binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were computed to identify potential predictors of physical activity among diabetes mellitus patients. RESULTS Among the 319, 70 (21%) engaged in the recommended physical activity (such as running, jogging, going to the gym, or brisk walking). Two hundred seventy-nine (87.5) of the respondents had adequate general knowledge of diabetes and 31.7% of the respondents had adequate general knowledge of physical activity. The likelihood of engaging in the recommended physical activity was associated with perceived barrier (odds ratio [OR]=0.58, 95% confidence interval, CI [0.56, 0.67]; p<0.000), perceived self-efficacy (OR=1.33, 95% CI [1.12, 1.57] p<0.001) and perceived benefit (OR=1.16 (95% CI [1.03, 1.29] p<0.000). CONCLUSION This study illustrated that practicing the recommended physical activities among DMT-2 patients was insufficient. Perceived barrier, perceived benefit and perceived self-efficacy became potential predictors of physical activity of DMT-2 patients. None of the socio-demographic factors affect the physical activity behavior of these groups. Diabetes intervention messages should focus on building individual self-efficacy to overcome those barriers with a due emphasis to suggested concrete benefit of physical activity.