DETERMINANTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG RETIREES IN CAPE COAST METROPOLIS, GHANA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of physical activity levels and quality of life among retirees in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. A cross-sectional design with a multistage sampling technique was employed to recruit 234 participants in the Cape Coast Metropolis for the study. Questionnaires were used in gathering data for the study and the data was analysed using frequencies, means, standard deviation, and inferential statistics such as simple linear regression, multiple linear regression, and one-way MANOVA analysis. Results indicated 61.1% of the participants at low levels of physical activity, 8.5% at moderate levels, and 30.3% at high levels of physical activity respectively. Also, the study found that 70.9% of participants were at high risk for developing diabetes. Physical activity (β = .953, t = 8.61, p <0.001) was found to be a significant predictor of quality of life among retirees. Additionally, safe from crime (β =.122, t =2.598, p=.010), social support (β = .173, t= 3.320, p < .001), gender (β = .531, t=8.962, p < .001), age (β =149, t=2.449, p =.015), health status (β =.433, t=7.98, p < .001), and financial status (β =.484, t =.484, p <.001) were found to be significant predictors of physical activity among retirees. Furthermore, the study indicated that gender statistically predicted physical activity levels and quality of life, (t = 2.39, p = 0.011, Pillai's Trace (V) =0.038, ηp2 =0.038) and also predicted physical activity levels, (t = 4.14, p = .043, ηp2 =.018). It was recommended that retiree health promotion programmes be instituted in the metropolis to enhance the quality of life in every neighbourhood across the metropolis.