Physical Activity and Diabetes Management among Community Members in M'bour, Senegal

Diabetes mellitus is a growing concern in developing countries, including Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Improvement in physical activity levels among the diabetics may reduce the risk of developing diabetes related complications. This mixed methods study examines physical activity habits and potential cultural enablers and barriers to physical activity in individuals with type 2 diabetes in M’Bour, Senegal. Participants took part in semi-structured interviews framed by the PEN-3 Cultural Model (PEN-3), and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) questionnaire. Questions focused on participants' level and frequency of physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and attitude towards exercise.  Descriptive statistics were used to summarize IPAQ responses. Content analysis was used to identify emergent themes from semi-structured interviews.

Results: Among the 41 individuals formally diagnosed with diabetes, the mean age was 58 (SD=11.8). Participants reported walking as their main source of exercise, with an average frequency of 4 days per week (SD=2.8). Participation in moderate or vigorous exercise was reported by less than 22%.    Results elicited from PEN-3 included several barriers and enablers to physical activity.  Barriers included prohibitive costs of gym membership and exercise equipment.  Also, limb pain and feeling ill were commonly mentioned barriers to exercise. Although patients reported a lack of others with whom to exercise, familial support aided in maintaining exercise behaviors such as walking. Diabetic patients may benefit from learning about exercises that are possible to perform at home, and gentle exercises that may alleviate pain.