Journal Article

Physical activity counseling in primary health care in Brazil: a national study on prevalence and associated factors

Ramos, Luiz Roberto, Mielke, Gregore Iven, Lobelo, Felipe, Simoes, Eduardo J, Florindo, Alex Antonio, Bracco, Mário Maia, Gomes, Grace Angélica de Oliveira, Parra, Diana C, Hallal, Pedro Curi

2013

Overview

Background The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of physical activity counseling among physicians and nurses working in primary health care in Brazil. Methods A phone survey was carried out in 2011 with professionals working in primary health care in Brazil. The target sample consisted of 1,600 randomly selected primary care units covering all regions of the country. We successfully interviewed 529 professionals within the sampled units; 182 physicians and 347 nurses. The overall response rate was 49.6%. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate correlates of counseling in the whole sample and separately for physicians and nurses. Results The prevalence of regular physical activity counseling for at least six months was 68.9% (95% CI 64.9; 72.8) and was significantly higher among physicians compared to nurses (p < 0.05). Most professionals (93.2%) interviewed were unfamiliar with current physical activity recommendations for health. In the adjusted analysis, physical activity counseling was more frequent among those who report assessing patient’s physical activity (OR = 2.16; 95% CI 1.41; 3.29), those reporting that lack of time was not a barrier for counseling (OR = 0.62 95% CI 0.42-0.93), those who felt prepared to provide physical activity counseling (OR = 2.34; 95% CI 1.50-3.66), and those working at primary care units offering physical activity programs for patients (OR = 2.06; 95% CI 1.33-3.20). In the stratified analysis, only assessing patient’s physical activity was a significant correlate among physicians whereas assessing patient’s physical activity, feeling prepared to provide counseling and working in units with physical activity interventions were significant correlates among nurses. Conclusions Physicians and nurses deemed physical activity counseling of great importance in primary health care in Brazil. However, in order to increase the quality of counseling and the number of professionals engaging in this activity, these health teams require greater knowledge about physical activity (global recommendations for health) as well as training on the application of instruments for assessing physical activity. Moreover, sufficient time must be allowed during consultations for the counseling process, and physical activity promotion programs should be implemented within the primary health care units.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Adult / Analysis / Behavior / Biostatistics / Brazil - epidemiology / Community support / Counseling / Counseling - statistics & numerical data / Cross-Sectional Studies / Disease control / Disease prevention / Education / Environmental Health / Epidemiology / Exercise / Female / Health behavior / Health care / Health counseling / Health facilities / health promotion and society / Humans / Interviews / Low income groups / Male / Medical care / Medical personnel / Medical research / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Medicine, Experimental / Motor Activity / Nurses / Nursing Process - statistics & numerical data / Physical instruments / Physicians / Practice Patterns, Physicians' - statistics & numerical data / Prevalence / Preventive medicine / Primary care / Primary health care / Primary Health Care - statistics & numerical data / Public Health / Quality management / Regression Analysis / Research Article / Response rates / Studies / Surveys / Surveys and Questionnaires / Telephone / Vaccine / Workers