Physical Activity among Primary Health Care Physicians and Its Impact on Counseling Practices. 2023

Mohammed Alyafei, and Mohamad Alchawa, and Abdulaziz Farooq, and Nagah Selim, and Iheb Bougmiza
Community Medicine Residency Program, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Doha, Qatar.

Physical inactivity has been linked to various noncommunicable diseases and their related health problems. As primary health care physicians (PHCPs) play a crucial role in promoting health and preventing disease, this study aims to determine the extent of physical inactivity among PHCPs and its impact on their counseling practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted across all primary health care centers in Qatar, targeting 511 physicians. A modified self-administered WHO stepwise tool was used to measure physical activity (PA) with another questionnaire to assess the counseling practices among PHCPs. Out of 511 physicians, 306 (59.9%) responded to the survey. The majority of the participants were male (58.1%) with an average age of 45.8 ± 7.9 years. The majority of PHCPs were from the UK (44.3%), while only 4.1% were Qatari. Family physician consultants made up 51% of the respondents, while 30.2% were general practitioners, and the average years of experience were 14 ± 8.3 years. Only 39.5% of the respondents met the WHO PA recommendations. 50.5% of the physicians were overweight, and 23.1% were obese. The median percentage of patients counseled about PA was only 60 [IQR: 40-80]%, and there was no link found between a physician's PA level and the percentage of patients they counseled on the subject. Physicians reported a high prevalence of physical inactivity. Furthermore, the practice of counseling the public on PA was low. Interventions are needed inside and outside the workplace to improve the PA among PHCPs and their counseling practices.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Mohammed Alyafei, and Mohamad Alchawa, and Abdulaziz Farooq, and Nagah Selim, and Iheb Bougmiza
September 2007, Archives of internal medicine,
Mohammed Alyafei, and Mohamad Alchawa, and Abdulaziz Farooq, and Nagah Selim, and Iheb Bougmiza
September 2022, Ciencia & saude coletiva,
Mohammed Alyafei, and Mohamad Alchawa, and Abdulaziz Farooq, and Nagah Selim, and Iheb Bougmiza
July 1997, Connecticut medicine,
Mohammed Alyafei, and Mohamad Alchawa, and Abdulaziz Farooq, and Nagah Selim, and Iheb Bougmiza
May 2021, International journal of environmental research and public health,
Mohammed Alyafei, and Mohamad Alchawa, and Abdulaziz Farooq, and Nagah Selim, and Iheb Bougmiza
January 1998, Preventive medicine,
Mohammed Alyafei, and Mohamad Alchawa, and Abdulaziz Farooq, and Nagah Selim, and Iheb Bougmiza
August 1992, MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report,
Mohammed Alyafei, and Mohamad Alchawa, and Abdulaziz Farooq, and Nagah Selim, and Iheb Bougmiza
February 2015, Journal of physical activity & health,
Mohammed Alyafei, and Mohamad Alchawa, and Abdulaziz Farooq, and Nagah Selim, and Iheb Bougmiza
March 2002, Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine,
Mohammed Alyafei, and Mohamad Alchawa, and Abdulaziz Farooq, and Nagah Selim, and Iheb Bougmiza
December 2001, JAMA,
Mohammed Alyafei, and Mohamad Alchawa, and Abdulaziz Farooq, and Nagah Selim, and Iheb Bougmiza
August 1987, The Western journal of medicine,
Copied contents to your clipboard!