Risk Behaviors for Proactive Health Promotion

Abstract

BackgroundEffective, high quality health promotion policy and practice depends on the availability of sound evidence generated from both quantitative and qualitative methods. This study aimed to identify the reasons leading to inappropriate practices and risk behaviors among target populations, and to determine the knowledge and attitude of communities regarding healthy diet, physical activity and body weight.MethodsA qualitative study conducted by Non-Communicable Disease Directorate, in association with the Public Health Institute, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan, and covering three states. After grouping the Sudan 18 States into four geographical zones, the State with poorest indicators from each zone was selected. The participants in each State were selected purposefully based on their knowledge and expertise in the area, and stratified according to the residence to urban and rural. A total of 12 focus group discussions, each of 8-10 persons, were conducted using focus group discussion guide. Ethical clearance was obtained from the National Research Ethical Committee and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.ResultsThe consumption of vegetables was on a daily basis; but for fruit, consumption was less and depended on accessibility and price. Consumption of whole grain flour was more than refined flour among the respondents and consumption of vegetable oil was more than margarine/butter. Despite the fact that respondents were identified white meat as better to the health, they were found to consume red meat more. There was also high consumption of both white sugar and salt. Although the respondents aware of the benefit of physical exercise, but only a few of them were engaged in regular physical activities. In addition, the respondents aware of the effect of obesity on the health and it is closely linked with diseases, some women believed that obesity is a marker of beauty. Most of the respondents showed their willingness to change towards healthy lifestyles. ConclusionsThis study had shown a high degree of awareness among the respondents about healthy diet, harmful effects of obesity and the benefits of physical activity on the health, although some of them consumed more red meat, white sugar, salt, less fruit, and few of them only engaged in physical activity. The respondents were willing to change their diet and exercise habits if the need arise and if asked to do that by medical doctors.