رسائل دكتوراة
English
2019
Physical Activity Prevalence Among Migrants In United Arab Emirate
Rowaa Elhidia Elobaid Abd-Allatif, Syed M Shah
كلية الطب والعلوم الصحية-جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة · الامارات
Insufficient physical activity is a leading risk for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Few data were available on the physical activity levels of migrants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aimed to determine leisure time physical activity levels and their associated socio-demographic determinants and NCD risk factors among migrants in Al Ain, UAE. A random sample of male South Asian migrants (n=1375) (76.4% response rate) and female South Asian, Arab, and Philippines migrants (n=555) (75% participation rate) was recruited from the government Visa Screening Center in Al Ain, UAE. An adapted version of the WHO STEPS Survey with a short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to measure leisure time physical activity. American College of Sports Medicine guidelines was used to assess physically active (moderate activity for 30 minutes on five days or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum of 20 minutes on three days each week). The average age was 34.0 (±9.9) years for males and 33.6 (±9.6) for female South Asian migrants. The average age was 36.5 (±11.1) for Arab and 33.1 (±8.3) years for Philippine migrants, respectively. Levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity were low in male South Asians (34.7%; 95% Confidence Interval (32.3-37.3), South Asian females (10.2%; 95% CI: 5.9-16.9), Arab females (11.0%; 95% CI, 6.7-17.6) and female Philippine (45.9%; 95% CI: 40.2-51.7), respectively compared to global prevalence. Sociodemographic factors positively associated with low physical activity among male South Asians included working as a driver (AOR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.69- 4.11), shopkeeper (AOR: 4.27, 95% CI: 2.18-8.34), having the nationality of India (AOR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.06-2.11) or Pakistan (AOR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.15-2.37), migration from an urban area of the home country (AOR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.16-2.19), having abdominal obesity (AOR: 1.34, 95% CI, 1.01-1.79) and high cholesterol levels (AOR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.25-4.45). Female migrants with Philippine nationality (AOR: 0.08, 95% CI, 0.02- 0.34) or having single accommodation (AOR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.02-0.47) or living with a sponsor (AOR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08-0.95) were less likely to report higher levels of physical activity. Low levels of physical activity is a major public health problem among migrants, particularly in South Asians and female Arabs and those working as a driver, in offices, and as shopkeepers with consequences for NCDs.