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

Al-Mhanna SB 1 , Batrakoulis A 2 , Sheikh AM 3 , Aldayel AA 4 , Sabo A 5 , Mohamed M 6 Show all authors , Afolabi HA 7 , Ahmed AY 8 , Mohamed SI 9 , Gülü M 10 , Ghazali WSW 6

Affiliations 

  • 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 Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
  • 3 Faculty of Health Science, Somali International University, Mogadishu, Somalia
  • 4 Department of Exercise Physiology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • 5 Department of Public and Environmental Health, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences, Federal University Dutse, Dutse, Nigeria
  • 6 Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • 7 Department of General Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, University Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
  • 8 Demartino Hospital, Ministry of Health, Mogadishu, Somalia
  • 9 National Public Health Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Mogadishu, Somalia
  • 10 Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey
AIMS Public Health, 2024;11(2):459-476.
PMID: 39027387 DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2024023

Abstract

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.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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