Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Physical Activity among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Followed at Two University Hospitals in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Although physical activity is an integral component of type 2 diabetes management, evidence on patients’ knowledge, attitudes and practices in Burkina Faso remains limited. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes and physical activity practices among adults with type 2 diabetes receiving outpatient care at two university hospitals in Ouagadougou. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted between June and August 2024 among 122 adult outpatients with confirmed type 2 diabetes who volunteered to participate. Information was collected on sociodemographic characteristics and predefined indicators of knowledge, attitudes and physical activity practice. Knowledge and attitudes were categorised as satisfactory or unsatisfactory and positive or negative, respectively; practice was classified as sufficient or insufficient according to the study’s operational criteria. Frequencies were compared using the chi-square test. Results: Participants had a mean age of 46.12 ± 10.9 years (range 26–69 years); 74 (60.7%) were women. Satisfactory knowledge was recorded for 95 participants (77.9%), while 87 (71.3%) had positive attitudes. However, 86 (70.5%) reported insufficient physical activity and only 36 (29.5%) met the study’s criteria for sufficient practice. Conclusion: In this outpatient sample, favourable knowledge and attitudes coexisted with insufficient physical activity practice. Findings support the need to examine barriers to activity participation and to consider patient education that addresses the practical implementation of physical activity recommendations.