Addressing physical inactivity in Omani adults: perceptions of public health managers.
OBJECTIVE
To explore barriers and solutions to addressing physical inactivity and prolonged sitting in the adult population of Oman.


METHODS
Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews that took place from October 2011 to January 2012. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Data collection and analysis was an iterative process; later interviews explored emerging themes. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed and continued until data saturation; this occurred by the tenth interviewee. Thematic content analysis was carried out, guided by an ecological model of health behaviour.


METHODS
Muscat, Oman.


METHODS
Ten mid-level public health managers.


RESULTS
Barriers for physical inactivity were grouped around four themes: (i) intrapersonal (lack of motivation, awareness and time); (ii) social (norms restricting women's participation in outdoor activity, low value of physical activity); (iii) environment (lack of places to be active, weather); and (iv) policy (ineffective health communication, limited resources). Solutions focused on culturally sensitive interventions at the environment (building sidewalks and exercise facilities) and policy levels (strengthening existing interventions and coordinating actions with relevant sectors). Participants' responses regarding sitting time were similar to, but much more limited than those related to physical inactivity, except for community participation and voluntarism, which were given greater emphasis as possible solutions to reduce sitting time.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the increasing prevalence of chronic disease in Oman and the Arabian Gulf, urgent action is required to implement gender-relevant public health policies and programmes to address physical inactivity, a key modifiable risk factor. Additionally, research on the determinants of physical inactivity and prolonged sitting time is required to guide policy makers.
1 Cancer Prevention Research Centre, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia.
Ruth M
RM
Mabry
2 Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman.
Zakiya Q
ZQ
Al-Busaidi
1 Cancer Prevention Research Centre, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia.
Marina M
MM
Reeves
1 Cancer Prevention Research Centre, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia.
Neville
N
Owen
1 Cancer Prevention Research Centre, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia.
Elizabeth G
EG
Eakin
D000288:Administrative Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003144:Communication Barriers; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009850:Oman; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D057185:Sedentary Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D012944:Social Support