Health Behavior and Protective Factors Among School Children in Four African Countries

Peltzer, Karl

doi:10.1007/s12529-008-9015-3

Cited by 33 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The findings of the study urges the need for multi-component intervention to reduce pre-teen alcohol use because alcohol use in Africa has been linked to poverty and risky sexual practices, 16,18–20 which worsen already dire social and personal conditions. Also, including or amplifying strategies to increase protective factors, such as school attendance, parental or guardian connectedness, peer support at school, and parental supervision 35 are critical in preventing adverse health outcomes among African youth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early alcohol use and problem drinking among students in Zambia and Uganda

Swahn

Ali

Palmier

et al. 2011

J Public Health Africa

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Excessive alcohol use is a serious public health concern worldwide, but less attention has been given to the prevalence, risk and protective factors, and consequences of early alcohol use in low-income, developing countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the associations between early alcohol use, before age 13, and problem drinking among adolescents in Uganda and Zambia. Data from students in Zambia (n=2257; 2004) and Uganda (n=3215; 2003) were obtained from the cross-sectional Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). The self-administered questionnaires were completed by students primarily 13 to 16 years of age. Multiple statistical models were computed using logistic regression analyses to test the associations between early alcohol initiation and problem drinking, while controlling for possible confounding factors (e.g., current alcohol use, bullying victimization, sadness, lack of friends, missing school, lack of parental monitoring, and drug use). Results show that early alcohol initiation was associated with problem drinking in both Zambia (AOR=1.28; 95% CI:1.02–1.61) and Uganda (AOR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.11–1.98) among youth after controlling for demographic characteristics, risky behaviors, and other possible confounders.The study shows that there is a significant association between alcohol initiation before 13 years of age and problem drinking among youth in these two countries. These findings underscore the need for interventions and strict alcohol controls as an important policy strategy for reducing alcohol use and its dire consequences among vulnerable youth.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early alcohol use and problem drinking among students in Zambia and Uganda

Swahn

Ali

Palmier

et al. 2011

J Public Health Africa

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“…The prevalence of physical inactivity is defined as doing none or very little physical activity at work, at home, for transport, or during discretionary time. It has been reported that less than 50% of children and youths from African countries are physically active for at least 60 min a day at least three days a week [9,10]. In Senegal, few studies have investigated the physical activity level among school children or adolescents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Activity Level and Sedentary Behaviors among Public School Children in Dakar (Senegal) Measured by PAQ-C and Accelerometer: Preliminary Results

Diouf

Thiam

Idohou-Dossou

et al. 2016

IJERPH

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Background: Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles are major risk factors of childhood obesity. This study aimed to measure physical activity (PA) levels by accelerometer and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) among Senegalese school children and the relation with Body Mass Index (BMI) and body composition. Methodology: 156 pupils 8–11 years old were randomly selected in four elementary public schools of Dakar. BMI z-score was used to categorize children according to their weight status. PA was measured by PAQ-C in the 156 pupils and by accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X+, Pensacola, FL, USA) in a subsample of 42 children. Body composition was determined by deuterium dilution method. Results: PAQ-C results were comparable in the 156 and 42 pupils. The 42 pupils presented a light activity measured by accelerometer, while PAQ-C classified the majority of them (57%; n = 24) in the moderate PA level. Children spent most of their time (min/day) in sedentary activities and light activities than in moderate and intense activity levels. Accumulation of 60 min/day Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) was achieved by 54.8% (n = 23) of the pupils. MVPA decreased in girls in relation to their body fatness. There was a significant difference in MVPA between boys and girls. Similarly, overweight/obese (45 ± 16 min/day) children had lower MVPA than their normal and underweight peers (88 ± 34 and 74 ± 36 min/day, respectively; p = 0.004). Conclusions: The two methods are inconsistent for measuring light and moderate PA levels. Although PAQ-C is an uncomplicated routine method, various activities were not adapted for genuine activities in Senegalese children and therefore needs to be validated in African children.

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“…The prevalence of physical inactivity, defined as doing no or very little physical activity at work, at home, for transport or during discretionary time, has been estimated to be 43%–49% in South Africans 15 years of age and older [5], and it has been reported from other African countries that less than 50% of adolescents between 13 and 15 years of age are physically active for at least 60 minutes a day on at least 3 days a week [6]. Objective measures of physical activity in rural-dwelling South African men and women confirmed the significant contribution of ambulatory (walking) activity to overall physical activity in this population [7], and the association between ambulatory activity and adiposity [8] provides more reason for why it is important to understand factors, specific to rural South African adolescents, associated with physical activity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical activity and sedentary behavior among adolescents in rural South Africa: levels, patterns and correlates

et al. 2014

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BackgroundPhysical inactivity is increasing among children and adolescents and may be contributing to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity. This study examines physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns, and explores associations with individual, maternal, household, and community factors amongst rural South African adolescents.MethodsIn 2009, 381 subjects, stratified by ages 11-12-years and 14-15-years, were randomly selected from 3511 children and adolescents who had participated in a growth survey two years previously. Weight and height were measured and self-reported Tanner pubertal stage was collected. A questionnaire quantifying frequency and duration of physical activity (PA) domains and sedentary time for the previous 12 months was administered. Moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA mins/wk) was calculated for time spent in school and club sport. Socio-demographic and other related data were included from the Agincourt health and socio-demographic system (HDSS). The Agincourt HDSS was established in 1992 and collects prospective data on the community living in the Agincourt sub-district of Mpumalanga Province in rural north-east South Africa.ResultsPuberty, maternal education and socio-economic status (SES) contributed significantly to the mulitiple linear regression model for sedentary behavior (R2 = 0.199; adjusted R2 = 0.139; p < 0.000), and sex, SES and maternal education contributed to the tobit regression model for school and club sport MVPA (p < 0.000). MVPA, calculated from school and club sport, was higher in boys than girls (p < 0.001), and informal activity was lower (boys: p < 0.05 and girls: p < 0.01) while sedentary time was higher (girls: p < 0.01) in the older than the younger groups. Ninety-two percent (92%) of the sample reported walking for transport.ConclusionsIn this study of rural South African adolescent boys and girls, SES at the maternal, household and community level independently predicted time spent in sedentary behaviors, and school and club MVPA. This study provides local data that can be used to develop health promotion strategies specific to this community, and other similar communities in developing countries.

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Health Behavior and Protective Factors Among School Children in Four African Countries

Abstract: These findings enable health care professionals and researchers designing intervention studies to promote positive health practices.

Cited by 33 publications

References 20 publications

Early alcohol use and problem drinking among students in Zambia and Uganda

Early alcohol use and problem drinking among students in Zambia and Uganda

Physical Activity Level and Sedentary Behaviors among Public School Children in Dakar (Senegal) Measured by PAQ-C and Accelerometer: Preliminary Results

Physical activity and sedentary behavior among adolescents in rural South Africa: levels, patterns and correlates

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