Perception and Practice of Physical Activity and Exercise Counselling in Renal Care Team in Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction - Physical activity (PA) in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) requires positive attitude and practice among the renal care team (RCT). The study examined the perceptions and practices of PA and exercise counselling among the RCT in Nigeria. Methods – The study is 24-item cross-sectional survey on exercise counselling practices on 281 renal care practitioners (females = 149, males = 132; mean age = 42 ± 10 years; renal physicians (39%), nurses (50%), and others (11%)) at the 30th annual conference of NANCONF. Results – Forty two percent did not exercise regularly and 58% engaged in moderate-to-vigorous intensity. 92% agreed sedentary lifestyle is a health risk; 96% agreed that increasing PA is beneficial; and 81% reported that PA is beneficial for patients. 35% recommended PA; 17% referred patients to exercise professionals and 11% facilitated implementation of PA. Barriers to the implementation of PA were lack of motivated patients (75%), resources (69%), funds (66%), and motivated staff (63%). Conclusion - Perceptions and practices of PA and exercise counselling in the RCT in Nigeria is promising with inconsistencies between beliefs in the benefits of PA and actual implementation. Addressing the reported barriers could improve the recommendation of PA in patient’s management.

Keywords

• physical activity
• exercise counselling
• perception and practice
• renal care team
• Nigeria