Factors affecting the level of physical activity of Health- Care students at EUSL

Abstract

According to the level of physical activity the levels are four categories as vigorous, moderate, mild and sedentary. Due to the workload and other factors are associated with the physical activity level of the young adults population in Sri Lanka. The study was conducted among the undergraduates of faculty of healthcare sciences, Eastern University to assess the level of physical activity among them and identify the factors affecting the physical activity level. The objective is to assess the average level of physical activity among the students of faculty of healthcare sciences, Eastern University and identify the personal and environmental factors affecting the level of physical activity. This is a cross- sectional descriptive study conducted among 113 undergraduates of faculty of healthcare sciences, Eastern University using validated online questionnaire. A total of 113 students of faculty of healthcare sciences, Eastern University participated in our study. Average physical activity level among the participants was revealed to be sedentary with the majority of 59% (n=67) whereas mild, moderate and vigorous physical activity was observed among 27%, 8% and 6% respectively. Majority of the students of faculty of healthcare sciences, Eastern University are having sedentary level of physical activity. There is no significant association between sociodemographic factors of age, gender, study program, year of study with the level of physical activity. There is no significant association of the environmental factors of unfavorable weather, time of the day, climate changes, change of the environment and availability of equipment with the level of physical activity. All the personal and environmental factors which were considered during the study were independent from the level of physical activity among students of faculty of healthcare sciences, Eastern University.