FACULTY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

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    Qualitative views of Nigerian school principals and teachers on the barriers and opportunities for promoting students’ physical activity behaviours within the school settings
    (Springer Nature (BioMed Central), 2021) Oluwasanu, M. M.; Oladepo, O,; Ibitoye, S. E.
    Background: Insufficient physical activity (PA) is a growing public health challenge among Nigerian adolescents. Significant information gap exists on the school-related factors which influence the participation of adolescents in school-based physical activity programmes in Nigeria. This study was conducted to document the qualitative views of school principals and teachers on the barriers and opportunities for promoting the physical activity behaviours of adolescents within the school settings in light of the socio-ecological model. Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted in 12 public and private schools in two local government areas of Oyo state, Nigeria. Two key sources and data collection methods (i.e key informant interviews and focus group discussions) were used. Six key informant interviews were held with school principals and six focus group discussions with classroom teachers using pre-tested guides. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Fourteen sub-themes were identified as barriers to PA and linked to different levels of the socio-ecological model. Three themes were categorised as parental factors, three themes as socio-cultural and religious factors while the school-related factors had eight sub-themes. Specifically, the school-related barriers were the declining numberof trained physical health education teachers, limited opportunities for continuing education and low prioritisation of physical health education. Other school-related factors such as increasing demand for classroom academic time, negative attitudinal dispositions of other teachers and inadequate funding for schools which hampered the provision of facilities and equipment were identified as factors that limit the effective implementation of policies and programmes for physical activity in schools. Opportunities to promote PA within the school settings during assemblies, breaktime, after-school and inter-house sports competition exist. However, these opportunities are hampered by competing academic time, security threats, fear of causalities to students due to poor supervision after school, poor funding and brawling associated with competitive school-based sporting events. Conclusions: Factors that contribute to insufficient physical activity among in-school adolescents in the school settings are multi-factorial. Implementation of holistic, multi-component interventions which address the social-cultural and school-level factors and enhance students’ opportunities for physical activity in schools are recommended.
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    Multisectoral approach and WHO ‘Bestbuys’ in Nigeria’s nutrition and physical activity policies
    (Oxford University Press, 2020) Oluwasanu,M. M.; Oladunni, O.; Oladepo, O.
    Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are modifiable risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Policies formulated in line with international guidelines are required for the implementation of population-level interventions to reduce the risks. This study describes the utilization of multisectoral approach (MSA) for the formulation of nutrition and physical activity policies and the extent to which they align with the WHO ‘Best Buy Interventions’. The research utilized a descriptive case study design and the theoretical model guiding the study was the Walt and Gilson framework for policy analysis. Data were obtained through the interview of 44 key informants using pre-tested guides and document review of 17 policies and articles obtained from government institutions or through the search of electronic databases. Data were integrated and analysed using thematic analysis. Between 2000 and 2016, Nigeria had formulated 10 nutrition-related policies and 5 guidelines with actions to promote physical activity. Only three nutrition and two physical activity policies adopted a high level of MSA. In line with the WHO best buy interventions, educational interventions for the general population are proposed to reduce sugar and salt intake and replace transfat with polyunsaturated fats but there are no legal regulatory acts to support these actions. Policy documents with actions to reduce physical inactivity do not include the WHO best buys. The country should adopt a wider range of actors to formulate and review policies, integrate all the WHO best buy interventions and develop effective legislation to regulate the salt and sugar content of processed foods.