Occupational physical activity measurement among nurses in Universiti Malaya Medical Centre / Dr. Syamsul Rizal Bin Abu Amin

• Main Author: Syamsul Rizal, Abu Amin
• Format: Thesis
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: R Medicine (General); RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
• Online Access: http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/7477/1/OCCUPATIONAL_PHYSICAL_ACTIVITY_MEASUREMENT.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/7477/

Background: Although many studies have investigated the correlate of physical activity, these were mostly conducted in the leisure time domain. There is still lack of understanding about correlates physical activity exclusively in the workplace setting, as most study in the occupational domain are coupled with transportation domain. This study objectively examined the correlates of physical activity only in the occupational setting, where different backgrounds of female nurses were examined within the similar physical, social and working environment. Objectives: The primary objective is to examine relationships between correlates and component of physical activity in occupational setting. Secondary objectives are to investigate prevalence of nurses who met the minimum recommended bout physical activity and the characteristics of those who do. Method: 37 female nurses in an urban hospital were monitored at work with accelerometer. Nurses who met the recommendation are those who performed activiti of >3.0 MRTs for 10 continuous minutes. Linear regression model were fitted to analyse the correlation and association of sedentary time, averaged intensity of the performed occupation and walk amount with nurses’ age, BMI and working experience. Independent sample t-test was used to examine differences between 2 groups of nurses – those who met not meet the minimum recommended bout. Conclusion: The findings of this study have not only confirmed the relationships betwe n the corr lat occupati nal phy ical acti ity, but further extended the evidence that workplace activity, but further extended the evidence that workplace activities can contribute to meeting the ACSM-AHA 2007 physical activity recommendation. Age, BMI and working experience are important consideration to increase both incidental and structured physical activity intervention at workplace .