Abstract
Physical inactivity is a prevalent public health concern globally, contributing to various adverse health outcomes. Despite the known benefits of physical activity for healthcare professionals, including nurses, there exists a concerning gap in understanding the factors influencing their attitudes and intentions towards engaging in physical activity.
Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the factors influencing nurses' attitudes and intentions towards physical activity using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The objectives were: (1) to identify the factors influencing nurses’ attitudes towards physical activity, and (2) to establish the factors influencing their intentions to engage in physical activity. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 177 nurses out of a target of 335 at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. The 177-nurse sample size was selected using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 29. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise participant characteristics. Chi-square tests assessed associations between categorical variables and physical activity engagement, while binary logistic regression identified independent predictors. All analyses were conducted using SPSS version 29 with a significance level of p < 0.05.
A total of 177 nurses participated in the study, representing a response rate of about 53%. The results revealed that most participants were female (n = 144, 81.4%), while 33 (18.6%) were male. The largest age group was 30–39 years (n = 68, 38.4%). Most (n = 56, 31.6%) had 6–15 years of professional experience. The majority of respondents reported engaging in physical activity (n = 133, 75.1%). As for the number of days per week they engaged in physical activity, the most frequent response was two days (n = 70, 39.5%). With respect to the duration of physical activity per day, the most common response was 30–59 minutes (n = 61, 34.5%).
A large majority agreed or strongly agreed that physical activity is important (87%), that they enjoy physical activity (83.6%) and that it reduces stress (92.1%). Most participants reported strong social support for physical activity: colleagues (76.8%), family (85.9%) and friends (82.5%) were identified as encouraging or participating in...