TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2013//
TI  - Adherence to a physical activity intervention among older adults in a post-transitional middle income country: a quantitative and qualitative analysis
JO  - Journal of nutrition, health, and aging
A1  - Uauy, R.
A1  - Allen, E.
A1  - Eguiguren, P.
A1  - Albala, C.
A1  - Dangour, A. D.
A1  - Garmendia, M. L.
SP  - 466
EP  - 471
VL  - 17
IS  - 5
N2  - Objectives: The effectiveness of community level interventions depends to a great extent on adherence. Currently, information on factors related to adherence in older adults from developing countries is scarce. Our aim was to identify factors associated to adherence to a physical activity intervention in older adults from a post-transitional middle income country. Design, setting and participants: Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods we studied 996 older Chilean subjects (65-67.9 years at baseline) with low to medium socioeconomic status from 10 health centers randomized to receive a physical activity intervention as part of the CENEX cluster trial (ISRCTN48153354). Measurements: Using a multilevel regression model, the relationship between adherence (defined a priori as attendance at a minimum of 24 physical activity classes spread over at least 12 months) and individual, intervention-related and contextual factors was evaluated. We also conducted 40 semi-structured interviews with older adults (n=36) and instructors (n=4). Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using content analysis to identify barriers and facilitators to adherence. Results: Adherence to physical activity intervention was 42.6% (CI 95% 39.5 to 45.6). Depression, diabetes mellitus, percentage of impoverished households and rate of arrests for violent crimes in the neighborhood predicted less adherence (p<0.05) while being retired, participation in physical activity prior to the intervention, and green areas per habitant were positively associated with adherence (p<0.05). The qualitative interviews identified three primary barriers to adherence: current health problems, lack of time due to commitments for caring for family members, and being employed, and two primary facilitators to adherence: the health benefits attributed to the intervention and the opportunity the classes provided for social interaction with others. Conclusion: In order to enhance effectiveness of community exercise interventions, strategies to improve participation should be targeted to older adults from deprived areas and those with psychological and medical conditions.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1279-7707
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12603-012-0417-1
ID  - ref1
ER  -