Physical Activity and Non-communicable Disease Risk Factors: Knowledge and Perceptions of Youth in a Low Resourced Community in the Western Cape

Abstract

Background: The youth's lack of knowledge and misconception on Physical Activity (PA) and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) risk factors aid the growing burden of NCDs globally. This study explored the knowledge and perception of youth in a low-resource community in the Western Cape Province. Methods: A qualitative methodological approach was used for data collection, using a qualitative exploratory study design. Convenience sampling was used to select participants, aged 18-35 years old from Vrygrond in the Western Cape Province. Focused group discussions were steered by means of a semi-structured interview questionnaire to guide the discussion about perceptions and knowledge of PA and NCDs risk factors. Discussions were analysed using Atlas.Ti8. Results: A total of 22 female youth participated in this study. The majority of the participants were single (86.3%), unemployed (63.6%) and secondary schooling (72.7%) of the highest level of education. Results indicated that the participants had little knowledge about PA, but lacked sufficient knowledge with regards to NCDs. Time constraints, lack of interest, low self-esteem, lack of awareness, safety, and financial constraints, knowledge deficit, parental influence, peer pressure, and poverty were seen as a barrier to physical activity and NCDs risk factor. Conclusion: Findings from this study could formulate a policy at the provincial and national level, to provide cost-effective and sustainable educative program as an intervention which addresses youth misconception on physical activity and NCDs risks factor in the 21st century, especially among female youth residing in a low resource community in Western Cape.

Exercise Intervention Changes the Perceptions and Knowledge of Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors among Women from a Low-Resourced Setting

“…This mixed-methods study used the HBM as the lens to explore and describe perceptions and knowledge of NCD risk factors and PA among women from a low-resourced community. Black South Africans tend to lack knowledge and have negative perceptions about NCDs and PA [ 21 , 22 , 25 ]; This study aimed to understand the influence of a 24 week supervised exercise programme on perceptions and knowledge of NCDs and PA. Before engaging in a 24 week supervised exercise intervention, participants perceived low self-efficacy relating to NCD prevention. This may be related to low education levels and low health literacy [ 49 ].…”

“…Studies to describe knowledge and perceptions of NCDs and PA in SA have previously been conducted [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. A study that included deep rural, rural and urban Black Africans in SA, and which aimed to determine the relationship between NCD risk factor knowledge and risk factors, asserted that participants had good knowledge, scoring 84% for PA knowledge while most participants (67%) were leading a sedentary lifestyle [ 20 ].…”

“…A study that included deep rural, rural and urban Black Africans in SA, and which aimed to determine the relationship between NCD risk factor knowledge and risk factors, asserted that participants had good knowledge, scoring 84% for PA knowledge while most participants (67%) were leading a sedentary lifestyle [ 20 ]. Black South Africans from low-resourced environments were found to have poor perceptions about NCDs [ 21 , 22 ]. Intervention studies in PA aimed to improve NCD knowledge and risk factors are unavailable for a South African population.…”

“…The HBM includes six constructs, namely, (1) perceived susceptibility, (2) perceived severity, (3) perceived benefits, (4) perceived barriers, (5) cues to action and (6) self-efficacy. The HBM was utilised as a theoretical lens [ 22 ] through which the study data were explored. Health concerns, the belief that one is vulnerable and the belief that taking action at an acceptable cost, will motivate people’s health behaviours [ 23 , 24 ].…”

“…People will change their behaviour when they understand the risk of the disease and know about possible solutions to mitigate the risk. Although previous studies have successfully used the HBM in analysing perceptions and knowledge of NCD risk factors among adults [ 21 , 22 , 25 ], to the best of our knowledge, no previous studies utilised the HBM in mixed-methods research to understand PA health behaviours.…”