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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Tropical Medicine & International Health

Health Beliefs, Diabetes Education, and Physical Activity Engagement Among Persons Living With Diabetes in Ghana

  • Precious Adade Duodu1,2
  • Joshua Okyere3,4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Nursing, School of Human and Health Sciences University of Huddersfield Huddersfield UK
  2. 2Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Ghana
  3. 3School of Human and Health Sciences University of Huddersfield Huddersfield UK
  4. 4College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Accra Ghana
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Abstract

Background: From the perspective of the health belief model (HBM), persons living with diabetes' (PLWD) perception about the severity of their condition, their perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers could determine their participation in physical activity. This study examined physical activity and its associated factors among PLWD in Ghana.

Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study involved 398 PLWD. A multivariate linear regression assessed the factors associated with physical activity. The results were presented as coefficients (β) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at < 0.05.

Results: The majority of participants exhibited moderate levels of physical activity (M = 6.15, SD = 3.99). After adjusting for covariates, higher perceived susceptibility (β = 1.27, 95% CI: 0.50, 2.05), perceived benefits (β = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.20, 2.27), and perceived barriers (β = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.16, 1.17) were independently associated with higher physical activity scores. A higher waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) was negatively associated with physical activity (β = −5.85, 95% CI: −11.14, −0.56). Compared to males, females had significantly lower physical activity levels (β = −0.89, 95% CI: −1.68, −0.11). Being currently in a union (β = −3.10, 95% CI: −4.64, −1.57) or previously in a union (β = −3.26, 95% CI: −4.92, −1.61) was associated with lower physical activity compared to those who had never married. Regular attendance at diabetes education sessions was strongly associated with higher physical activity (β = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.76, 4.27).

Conclusion: Perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers emerged as important cognitive determinants of physical activity, underscoring the relevance of health belief constructs in designing interventions. The findings suggest that diabetes management programmes should incorporate behavioural change models and prioritise targeted education and support, particularly for women and those in marital unions, to promote active lifestyles among PLWD in Ghana.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{duodu2026health,
  title = {{Health Beliefs, Diabetes Education, and Physical Activity Engagement Among Persons Living With Diabetes in Ghana}},
  author = {Precious Adade Duodu and Joshua Okyere},
  journal = {Tropical Medicine \& International Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1111/tmi.70208},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.70208},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Health Beliefs, Diabetes Education, and Physical Activity Engagement Among Persons Living With Diabetes in Ghana
AU  - Precious Adade Duodu
AU  - Joshua Okyere
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/28
JO  - Tropical Medicine & International Health
DO  - 10.1111/tmi.70208
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.70208
AB  - Background: From the perspective of the health belief model (HBM), persons living with diabetes' (PLWD) perception about the severity of their condition, their perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers could determine their participation in physical activity. This study examined physical activity and its associated factors among PLWD in Ghana.  Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study involved 398 PLWD. A multivariate linear regression assessed the factors associated with physical activity. The results were presented as coefficients (β) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at < 0.05.  Results: The majority of participants exhibited moderate levels of physical activity (M = 6.15, SD = 3.99). After adjusting for covariates, higher perceived susceptibility (β = 1.27, 95% CI: 0.50, 2.05), perceived benefits (β = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.20, 2.27), and perceived barriers (β = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.16, 1.17) were independently associated with higher physical activity scores. A higher waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) was negatively associated with physical activity (β = −5.85, 95% CI: −11.14, −0.56). Compared to males, females had significantly lower physical activity levels (β = −0.89, 95% CI: −1.68, −0.11). Being currently in a union (β = −3.10, 95% CI: −4.64, −1.57) or previously in a union (β = −3.26, 95% CI: −4.92, −1.61) was associated with lower physical activity compared to those who had never married. Regular attendance at diabetes education sessions was strongly associated with higher physical activity (β = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.76, 4.27).  Conclusion: Perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers emerged as important cognitive determinants of physical activity, underscoring the relevance of health belief constructs in designing interventions. The findings suggest that diabetes management programmes should incorporate behavioural change models and prioritise targeted education and support, particularly for women and those in marital unions, to promote active lifestyles among PLWD in Ghana.
SN  - 1360-2276
SN  - 1365-3156
ER  -