Abstract:
Workplaces are important settings for health promotion and disease prevention. Participation
in sport and recreation can lead to improved health of individuals and increased productivity
levels at work places. Despite the health benefits of sports and recreation and the approval
of the workplace sports and recreation policy in the Limpopo Department of Health, many
employees still do not participate, even when invited for games. The aim of the study was to
determine the perceived factors influencing participation of non-medical staff members in
workplace sports and recreation at Elim Hospital using the constructs of the Health Belief
Model. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The population were
all non-medical staff members of Elim Hospital. A total sample of 222 non-medical staff
members of Elim Hospital were used for the study. Participants were divided into three
categories, depending on the type of their work. A researcher-administered structured
questionnaire based on the construct of the Health Belief Model was used to collect data.
The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and Microsoft Excel was
used to analyse the data. A descriptive statistical method was used to analyse frequencies
and Chi-square test was used to determine the level of significance of correlations between
the different variables. A probability level of 0.05 or less was used to indicate statistical
significance. The study revealed that the rate / level of participation in workplace sports and
recreation among non-medical staff members at Elim Hospital was low (30%). Participants
perceived themselves mainly as less susceptible and not susceptible to NCDs. The major
barriers to participation that were identified include lack of awareness of the sports and
recreation policy as well as busy work schedule. There was a significant relationship
between participation and age of respondents, as well as between participation and
occupation category. Educational programme geared towards increasing awareness of
employees on the policy as well as on benefits of sports and recreation can significantly
improve participation in workplace sports and recreation.
