Factors Influencing The Physical Activity Levels In Hong Kong Chinese Paediatric Oncology Patients

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Despite the numerous health benefits from physical activity, there is a growing concern about physical inactivity in Hong Kong Chinese paediatric oncology patients. Before developing appropriate interventions to promote the adoption and maintenance of regular physical activity for such children, it is of paramount importance to understand the factors that influence their physical activity levels. The objective of this study was to explore the factors that affected their adoption of regular physical activity. Design/Methods: A qualitative, phenomenological approach was employed. A total of 25 paediatric patients (9- to 18-year-olds) undergoing active cancer treatment were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews. The sample size was determined by saturation of data in repeating themes. Each interview lasted for about 30 minutes and was tape-recorded and transcribed. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Results: The qualitative analysis identified four themes: (1) Perceptions of physical activity, (2) Physical condition, (3) Psycho-emotional aspects and (4) Social Influences. Nearly all of them complained that physical activity interrupted with recovery process, cancer and its treatment weaken their body condition, disturb their mood and suffer from social discouragement for physical activity. The findings revealed that the patients’ physical condition, misunderstanding about physical activity by children, parents and healthcare professionals, emotional disturbances and social influences are four important factors disengaging these children from physical activity during cancer treatment. Conclusion: The study identified the factors impeding paediatric patients under cancer treatment from physical activity. This study prompted the urge to develop appropriate strategies, aiming at tackling the factors to advocate physical activity for these children to enhance their physical and psychological well-being.