Socio-demographic patterning of referral, uptake and attendance in Physical Activity Referral Schemes.
BACKGROUND
Inadequate monitoring and participant profiling have so far prevented a detailed examination of who Physical Activity Referral Schemes (PARS) are accessible to and appropriate for. As a result, the nature of the role for PARS within public health is unknown.


METHODS
Participants were all those referred to a countywide PARS during a three-year period (n = 3568). Participant age, gender and the deprivation level and rurality of their area of residence were compared with the average for the county population. Characteristics associated with referral uptake (attending > or =1 exercise session) and completion (> or =80% attendance), were identified using logistic regression.


RESULTS
Compared with the county average, participants were older, more predominantly female (61.1 vs 51.4%) and lived in more deprived areas (p < 0.001). Referral uptake (n = 2864) was most likely in those aged 60-69 years, and least likely for residents of rural villages and the most deprived areas (all p < 0.001). For participants who took up referral, completion was most likely in men and the over-seventies (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The PARS format may be inappropriate for younger adults or people living in relative deprivation and rural areas. They appear most appropriate for adults of middle-to-old age who are more likely to require supervision, and should be targeted accordingly.
Gidlow
Christopher
C
Centre for Sport & Exercise Research, Staffordshire University, Mellor Building, College Road, Stoke on Trent, ST4 2DE, UK.
Johnston
Lynne H
LH
Crone
Diane
D
Morris
Clare
C
Smith
Alex
A
Foster
Charlie
C
James
David V B
DV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors