PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Background: Spinal pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder globally and a major cause of disability among young adults, including university students. Factors such as sedentary lifestyle, prolonged sitting, poor posture and physical inactivity have been implicated. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity levels and spinal pain among students of
the school of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 356 undergraduate students of the School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric indices, physical
activity levels and spinal pain prevalence were collected using standadized questionnaires. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation with significance set at p<0.05.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 21.49 ± 2.22 years. Most participants (74.4%) engaged in physical activity, and the majority had moderate (45.5%) or high (37.9%) activity levels. The 12-month prevalence of lower back pain was 50.5%, neck pain 34.8% and upper back pain 27.5%. There was no significant association between physical activity level and the prevalence of spinal pain (p<0.05). However, gender showed a significant association with lower back pain (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Spinal pain, especially low back pain, is common among students of the School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin, irrespective of physical activity level. Preventive interventions focusing on posture, ergonomics and spinal health education are recommended.

Background/Aim: Physical activity (PA) is vital for health promotion, yet its knowledge, ttitudes, and practices (KAP) remain sub-optimal among university students globally. his study aimed to assess the KAP of physical activity among undergraduate students at the University of Benin and explore barriers to their engagement. Methods: A descriptive ss-ectional study design was employed, and data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed to 398 undergraduate students. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a validated KAP tool were used to assess physical activity levels, knowledge, attitudes, and practices respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study revealed that 61% of participants had w knowledge of physical activity, while only 8.3% demonstrated high knowledge. Most articipants (73.1%) engaged in moderate activity, while 18.1% were inactive, and 8.8% engaged in high levels of physical activity. Misconceptions persisted, with 19.6% perceiving physical activity as potentially harmful. Lack of time (84.7%) and motivation 2.8%) ere the most reported barriers to engagement. Gender and academic level significantly influenced physical activity practices (p < 0.05), with male and lower-level students participating more actively. Conclusion: Knowledge and practices of physical activity among students were sub-optimal, with notable misconceptions and barriers influencing engagement. Targeted health education campaigns, accessible activity programs, and institutional support are essential to addressing these gaps and promoting physical activity among students.

Background: Menopause marks a significant transition in women’s lives, often accompanied by physiological, psychological, and social challenges that impact quality of life. Postmenopausal women often struggle to meet recommended physical activity levels due to barriers such as lack of motivation, time constraints, and inadequate facilities. Conversely, facilitators such as social support and health awareness can encourage participation. This study explores the perceived barriers and facilitators of physical activity among postmenopausal women within an academic environment. Aim: This study aims to investigate the perceived barriers and facilitators influencing physical activity participation among postmenopausal women at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Method: This cross-sectional study investigated the perceived barriers and facilitators of physical activity among postmenopausal women at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Fifty participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), Physical Activity Barriers Questionnaire (PABQ), and Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES). Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted using SPSS, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Among the respondents, 44% demonstrated high physical activity levels, 38% moderate, and 18% low. The mean self-efficacy, barriers, quality of life, and metabolic equivalent scores were 44.02±9.20, 88.28±18.09, 90.34±7.44, and 2961.93±3730.76, respectively. Spearman’s correlation analysis showed no significant relationships between barriers and physical activity levels (p=0.539) or self-efficacy and activity levels (p=0.105). Additionally, a positive but non- significant relationship was observed between physical activity levels and quality of life (p=0.080). Conclusion: The study concluded that perceived barriers and facilitators had non-significant relationships with physical activity levels and quality of life among postmenopausal women in the University of Benin. While demographic factors such as education and marital status likely mediate these associations, the findings emphasize the complexity of physical activity behaviors in this population. There is a need to address individual and contextual factors to better
understand and promote physical activity

Background: University students often face challenges such as poor dietary habits, irregular physical activity, and academic stress, which can adversely affect their health and quality of life (QoL). Nutritional status, physical activity, and QoL are key interrelated health determinants, but limited evidence exists among Nigerian university populations. Understanding these relationships is essential for promoting healthy lifestyles and better well-being among young adults.
Aims: This study aimed to determine the association between nutritional status, physical activity, and quality of life among non-clinical undergraduate students of the University of Benin. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 330 non-clinical undergraduates selected through multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a self- administered questionnaire comprising the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson’s correlation and Chi-square tests, were used, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Among the 330 participants, 54.8% were male and 45.2% female, mostly aged 18–25 years. The mean BMI was 24.13 ± 14.18 kg/m², with 53.3% having normal weight, 19.4%
overweight, 12.1% obese, and 11.2% underweight. Most students (76.1%) practiced healthy eating habits. Physical activity levels were moderate in 48.8%, low in 30.9%, and high in 20.3%. Regarding QoL, 62.7% had moderate scores, 32.7% high, and 4.5% low. A significant association was found between nutritional status and physical activity (p = 0.037), but not between nutritional status and QoL (p = 0.096) or physical activity and QoL (p = 0.697).
Conclusion: This study found a significant association between nutritional status and physical activity, but not with quality of life among non-clinical students in the University of Benin. Most students maintained normal BMI and moderate physical activity levels, though some displayed poor nutrition and lifestyle habits. These findings highlight the importance of university-based health programs to improve nutrition, activity levels, and overall well-being.