Abstract

Introduction: Lack of physical activity is a key risk factor to developing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), Healthcare professionals are at risk of acquiring this disease as they are presumably occupied with work schedules and do not participate in PA frequently or for sufficient periods of time. This study aimed to determine the level and predictors of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards physical activity among the health care professionals. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was carried out among 126 health care professionals in Suva Subdivision, Fiji healthcare facilities. Participants who met the study inclusion criteria were recruited through purposive sampling and were asked to fill out a validated questionnaire. Data was analyzed by a statistical software SPSS, and the p<0.05 were considered as the level of significance. Results: More than two-thirds (73.8%) of the respondents were female and the majority (47.6%) (81.7%) were married. Most of the participants (54%) were nurses with some (27%) regularly practicing physical activity. Most of the participants (96.8%) presented a high level of knowledge of physical activity, additionally, all participants (100%) demonstrated a positive attitude towards physical activity, however, only Paramedics are 1.89 times more likely to have a good PA practice than other occupations (p=0.03) and those earned $501- $1000 fortnightly had 2 times lower chance of having a good PA practice (0.03) than other level of income. The results also revealed that age and occupation were significant predictors of knowledge whilst type of occupation and income were predictors of practice. Conclusion: Although the majority of health care professionals had a high level of knowledge and positive attitude towards physical activity these were not translated into the practice of physical activity. Appropriate health promotion strategies need to be applied to increase the health care professional’s physical activity practice.

Keywords

knowledge, attitude, practice, physical activities, health care professions, fiji