Effect of Community-Based Health Education Program on Knowledge and Perception of Physical Activities among Pre-Diabetic Older Adults in Selected LGAs in Ogun State, Nigeria
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Background: Physical activity is an established strategy for diabetes prevention. The incidence of diabetes is inversely proportional to participation in physical activity. An increase in elderly population and shifts in lifestyle have led to a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus among older adults. One of the most important aspects of physical fitness is its relationship with health, and in this context it can be understood as a demonstration of skills that are associated with a lower risk of prematurely developing type 2 diabetes diseases. Therefore, this study assessed the effect of community-based health education program on knowledge and perception of physical activities among pre-diabetic older adults in selected local governments in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methodology: The study employed a quasi-experimental design. A sample size of 30 older adults for each group was derived using the Power formula. Two local government areas were randomly selected in Ogun State. Abeokuta was the experimental group (EG) and Ikenne was the control group (CG). A structured validated questionnaire with Cronbach’s alpha reliability index ranging from 0.7 to 0.8 was used to collect data. Data was collected at baseline, immediate post-intervention and six weeks follow-up. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at 5% level of significance. Results: The analysis of the study revealed significant improvements in both knowledge and perception among the experimental group following the community-based health education intervention. At baseline (P0), the mean knowledge scores were 3.77 ± 1.87 for the experimental group and 2.07 ± 1.23 for the control group, indicating no significant difference. However, post-intervention assessments demonstrated marked increases in knowledge for the experimental group, with mean scores rising to 5.50 ± 0.94 immediately after intervention (P1) and 6.93 ± 0.25 at the 12th-week follow-up (P2), compared to the control group whose scores remained relatively unchanged (P1: 2.11 ± 1.26; P2: 2.00 ± 1.31). Similarly, perception scores improved significantly in the experimental group from 54.28 ± 1.53 at baseline to 56.13 ± 2.08 at P1 and 57.17 ± 3.83 at P2, while the control group showed negligible changes (P1: 53.80 ± 2.17; P2: 53.37 ± 3.52). The statistical analysis confirmed significant differences (p < 0.05) in knowledge and perception between the groups at both P1 and P2, underscoring the effectiveness of the health education program in enhancing the understanding and favorable perceptions of physical activity among prediabetic older adults. Conclusion: The implementation of an educational intervention program has the potential to increase the knowledge and perception towards physical activities among older adults due to the intervention program. As a consequence, the educational intervention program had a significant impact on the level of knowledge and perception towards physical activities with a very large margin.
Authors: Obube Olumide Abiodun, Nnodimele Atulomah, Obube Motunrayo Ibukun, Bello Olufunmilayo Esther, Fabiyi Gbolahan Akanji
Institution: Babcock University
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4416602924