Perceived factors influencing participation in workplace sports and recreation among non-medical staff members at Elim Hospital, Vhembe District

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.