Abstract:
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
