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AIMS Public Health

2024, Volume 11, Issue 2: 459-476. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2024023
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Research article

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity behavior among students in Somalia

  • 1.
    Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Tamil Nadu, India
  • 2.
    Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • 3.
    Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
  • 4.
    Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece
  • 5.
    Faculty of Health Science, Somali International University, Mogadishu, Somalia
  • 6.
    Department of Exercise Physiology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • 7.
    Department of Public and Environmental Health, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences, Federal University Dutse, Dutse, Nigeria
  • 8.
    Department of General Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, University Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • 9.
    Demartino Hospital, Ministry of Health, Mogadishu, Somalia
  • 10.
    National Public Health Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Mogadishu, Somalia
  • 11.
    Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey
  • Received: 29 January 2024 Revised: 18 March 2024 Accepted: 25 March 2024 Published: 10 April 2024

  • Background 

    Due to the worldwide reach of the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities across the globe deemed it essential to enforce exceptional containment measures. Maintaining physical activity (PA) during this time was only feasible through engaging in activities at home. Therefore, this study focused on elucidating the levels of PA and well-being among Somali students in the aftermath of the lockdown measures implemented by governments at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Methods 

    This study was conducted in Somalia among undergraduate students studying at Somali International University. A total of 1266 students were included in the present study. An online survey was utilized to measure participant PA behavior. The assessment of PA was conducted in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing the Godin Leisure questionnaire. The study showed that 85.8% of the study participants (n = 1086) were between the ages of 17 and 22. More than half of the participants (58.7%, n = 743) were female and had no other employment (57.3%, n = 743).

    Results 

    Jogging was the most frequently reported PA (57.3%, n = 726), and PA level was on average 59.7 minutes per day (SD = 25.9). Also, most of the study participants were in their last year (82.1%). In the regression analysis, age, gender, academic year, and work status were significant predictors of being physically active after the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Conclusion 

    Factors affecting PA after the COVID-19 pandemic include age, gender, academic year, and work status. Males, younger individuals, and those who engage in outdoor exercise are more likely to be physically active. Once the COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed, undergraduate students in Somalia were physically active. A high level of PA appears to be advantageous for public health. Universities in Somalia should uphold school policies that promote an active lifestyle among students, aiming to maintain or enhance the existing level of PA.

    Citation: Sameer Badri Al-Mhanna, Alexios Batrakoulis, Abdulrahman M. Sheikh, Abdulaziz A. Aldayel, Abdulwali Sabo, Mahaneem Mohamed, Hafeez Abiola Afolabi, Abdirizak Yusuf Ahmed, Sahra Isse Mohamed, Mehmet Gülü, Wan Syaheedah Wan Ghazali. Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity behavior among students in Somalia[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2024, 11(2): 459-476. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2024023

    Related Papers:

  • Background 

    Due to the worldwide reach of the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities across the globe deemed it essential to enforce exceptional containment measures. Maintaining physical activity (PA) during this time was only feasible through engaging in activities at home. Therefore, this study focused on elucidating the levels of PA and well-being among Somali students in the aftermath of the lockdown measures implemented by governments at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Methods 

    This study was conducted in Somalia among undergraduate students studying at Somali International University. A total of 1266 students were included in the present study. An online survey was utilized to measure participant PA behavior. The assessment of PA was conducted in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing the Godin Leisure questionnaire. The study showed that 85.8% of the study participants (n = 1086) were between the ages of 17 and 22. More than half of the participants (58.7%, n = 743) were female and had no other employment (57.3%, n = 743).

    Results 

    Jogging was the most frequently reported PA (57.3%, n = 726), and PA level was on average 59.7 minutes per day (SD = 25.9). Also, most of the study participants were in their last year (82.1%). In the regression analysis, age, gender, academic year, and work status were significant predictors of being physically active after the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Conclusion 

    Factors affecting PA after the COVID-19 pandemic include age, gender, academic year, and work status. Males, younger individuals, and those who engage in outdoor exercise are more likely to be physically active. Once the COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed, undergraduate students in Somalia were physically active. A high level of PA appears to be advantageous for public health. Universities in Somalia should uphold school policies that promote an active lifestyle among students, aiming to maintain or enhance the existing level of PA.


    加载中

    Acknowledgments


    This research was funded by the School of Medical Sciences of the Universiti Sains Malaysia, grant number 304.PPSP.6315639.

    Conflict of interest


    The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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