Assessment of Physical Activity Levels and Its Associated Factors among Health Care Workers at King Faisal Hospital, Rwanda

Abstract: Physical activity (PA) is essential for maintaining good health. Globally, there is growing evidence suggesting decline in PA. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for non-communicable disease. Despite the role of healthcare workers (HCWs) in health promotion, they are on risk of insufficient physical activity due to their occupational demand. Information regarding PA among health care workers in Rwanda is limited creating a gap in knowledge critical for promoting their health and optimizing their ability to deliver healthcare services. Knowing the level of physical activity can help healthcare workers to plan for PA programs. This study was guided by 2 specific objectives including to assess the level of physical activity among healthcare workers and to determine the associated factors to physical activity. A quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 254 participants were recruited using a systematic sampling technique. A Standardized international physical activity questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF) was utilized to collect data, analyzed using SPSS 28.0. Both descriptive analysis including frequency and percentage as well as inferential analysis using chi-square test (p <0.05) was done. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was computed. The data was presented in frequency tables and figures. Among the 254 HCWs participated in this study composed of nurses 153 (60.2%), Allied health professionals 60 (23.6%) and Medical doctors 41(16.1%). The findings revealed that most of HCWs 164(64.5%) had low level of PA followed by 67 (26, 4%) with moderate level and 23(9.1%) had high PA levels. Therefore only 90(35.5%) had adequate PA. There was significant associations between variables including age (χ²=11.14, P=0.011, 95%CI: 1.01–1.09), gender (χ²=6.51, P=0.011, 95% CI: 1.21–3.59), occupational status (χ²=9.36, P=0.09, 95% CI: 0.92–1.68), and availability of PA policy (χ²=6.52, P=0.011, 95% CI: 1.29–5.86) however none of the factors was found significant after adjusting with confounding factors. The study concluded that physical inactivity were prominent among healthcare workers at King Faisal Hospital Rwanda based on the WHO guideline and there were no single factors that can predict PA. Intensifying action that promote different types of PA among healthcare workers at King Faisal hospital is recommended. Keywords: Physical Activity, Levels, Health Care Workers, King Faisal Hospital, Rwanda. Title: Assessment of Physical Activity Levels and Its Associated Factors among Health Care Workers at King Faisal Hospital, Rwanda Author: Kambali Alexis, Dr Amanuel Kidane Andegiorgish International Journal of Healthcare Sciences ISSN 2348-5728 (Online) Vol. 14, Issue 1, April 2026 - September 2026 Page No: 318-328 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 26-June-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20918181 Paper download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/assessment-of-physical-activity-levels-and-its-associated-factors-among-health-care-workers-at-king-faisal-hospital-rwanda