Mz. Alshahri et Sm. Alalmaei, PROMOTION OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE BY PRIMARY HEALTH-CARE PHYSICIANS IN RIYADH CITY, Saudi medical journal, 19(1), 1998, pp. 67-69
Background: The major health benefits of aerobic exercise need not be
overemphasized. However, the activity of primary health care (PHC) phy
sicians in promotion of such a healthy habit was not previously studie
d in KSA. Objectives: The aim was to explore the activity of male PHC
physicians in promotion of aerobic exercise. Methods: About 50% of the
male PHC physicians in Riyadh city were selected at random and asked
to fill a self-adminisered questionnaire. Results: The response rate a
pproached 99%. About 55% of physicians were not properly exercising. H
ealth education was satisfactorily practiced by only 24% of physicians
. The better the physical activity of the physicians, the better was t
heir health education activity (P<0.023). Conclusion: Promotion of reg
ular physical activity among PHC physicians is probably a pre-requisit
e for promoting the habit in the community.