Factors affecting rural women's involvement in physical activity in Ghana

Abstract

A qualitative study approach was used to explore the factors affecting rural women’s involvement in physical activity in Ghana. Most of the prior research has been done in African urban areas thus, neglecting the rural areas. Purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from nine women aged 40-60 years living in three rural areas in central region of Ghana. The interviews were conducted by phone, translated and transcribed, and then coded using the NVivo software package. The constant comparative method was used to analyze the data. The data presented eight enablers and five barriers to physical activity involvement for rural Ghanaian women. The study adds to the state of knowledge about rural women’s physical activity across the lifespan from childhood through middle age. Findings revealed that rural women get a fair amount of physical activity from their traditional occupation, household chores, and communal labour but they lack access to and participation in organized sports or physical activity. Finally, recommendations are suggested to remove barriers to women’s participation in organized physical activity and sports in rural settings.