"I Feel like Exercising is a Waste of Time": A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study of Barriers to Physical Activity Among In-School Adolescents in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
4 affiliations
- 1School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
- 2Vector Control Product Testing Unit (VCPTU), Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania.
- 3School of Materials, Energy, Water and Environmental Sciences, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
- 4Apotheker Consultancy (T) Limited, Health Access Initiative, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Abstract
Introduction
Only 3.9% of adolescents met the WHO-recommended physical activity level, highlighting the need to understand contextual barriers in urban Tanzania. Physical inactivity during adolescence contributes to future non-communicable disease risk, yet evidence on contextual barriers remains limited. Guided by a socio-ecological perspective, this study assessed physical activity among school-going adolescents and examined social and environmental influences.Methods
A convergent mixed-methods study was conducted in three public secondary schools in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam, between July and November 2025. Quantitative data were collected from 381 adolescents aged 13-18 years selected through multistage and systematic sampling. Qualitative data were collected through three adolescent focus group discussions, three separate parent/guardian focus group discussions, and three physical education teacher interviews. Weekly physical activity was estimated from self-reported frequency and duration; at least 420 minutes/week was classified as meeting the WHO-recommended level. Quantitative data were analysed using univariable logistic regression, while qualitative data were analysed thematically.Results
Fifteen adolescents (3.9%) met the recommendation. Adolescents aged 16-18 years had lower odds of meeting the recommendation than those aged 13-15 years (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04-0.85), while boys had higher odds than girls (OR 8.85, 95% CI 1.97-39.78). Parental encouragement was inversely associated with meeting the recommendation (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10-0.83). Qualitative findings identified academic pressure, gender norms, social influence, limited facilities, and safety concerns.Conclusion
Interventions should address school, social, gender-related, and environmental barriers, particularly among girls and older adolescents.
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BibTeX
@article{aden2026feel,
title = {{"I Feel like Exercising is a Waste of Time": A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study of Barriers to Physical Activity Among In-School Adolescents in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.}},
author = {Zahra Abdi Aden and Olukayode Ganiu Odufuwa and Anita Mukarugaika Rugaika and Angel Dillip},
journal = {Health promotion perspectives},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.34172/hpp.45890},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968724},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - "I Feel like Exercising is a Waste of Time": A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study of Barriers to Physical Activity Among In-School Adolescents in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
AU - Zahra Abdi Aden
AU - Olukayode Ganiu Odufuwa
AU - Anita Mukarugaika Rugaika
AU - Angel Dillip
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/21
JO - Health promotion perspectives
DO - 10.34172/hpp.45890
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968724
AB - Introduction Only 3.9% of adolescents met the WHO-recommended physical activity level, highlighting the need to understand contextual barriers in urban Tanzania. Physical inactivity during adolescence contributes to future non-communicable disease risk, yet evidence on contextual barriers remains limited. Guided by a socio-ecological perspective, this study assessed physical activity among school-going adolescents and examined social and environmental influences.Methods A convergent mixed-methods study was conducted in three public secondary schools in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam, between July and November 2025. Quantitative data were collected from 381 adolescents aged 13-18 years selected through multistage and systematic sampling. Qualitative data were collected through three adolescent focus group discussions, three separate parent/guardian focus group discussions, and three physical education teacher interviews. Weekly physical activity was estimated from self-reported frequency and duration; at least 420 minutes/week was classified as meeting the WHO-recommended level. Quantitative data were analysed using univariable logistic regression, while qualitative data were analysed thematically.Results Fifteen adolescents (3.9%) met the recommendation. Adolescents aged 16-18 years had lower odds of meeting the recommendation than those aged 13-15 years (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04-0.85), while boys had higher odds than girls (OR 8.85, 95% CI 1.97-39.78). Parental encouragement was inversely associated with meeting the recommendation (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10-0.83). Qualitative findings identified academic pressure, gender norms, social influence, limited facilities, and safety concerns.Conclusion Interventions should address school, social, gender-related, and environmental barriers, particularly among girls and older adolescents.
SN - 2228-6497
ER -