Browsing by Author "Teixeira, Pedro J."
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- “Follow the whistle: physical activity is calling you”: evaluation of implementation and impact of a Portuguese nationwide mass media campaign to promote physical activityPublication . Silva, Marlene Nunes; Godinho, Cristina; Salavisa, Marta; Owen, Katherine; Santos, Rute; Silva, Catarina Santos; Mendes, Romeu; Teixeira, Pedro J.; Freitas, Graça; Bauman, AdrianTo raise perceived capability (C), opportunity (O) and motivation (M) for physical activity (PA) behaviour (B) among adults, the Portuguese Directorate-General of Health developed a mass media campaign named “Follow the Whistle”, based on behaviour change theory and social marketing principles. Comprehensive formative and process evaluation suggests this media-led campaign used best-practice principles. The campaign adopted a population-wide approach, had clear behavioural goals, and clear multi-strategy implementation. We assessed campaign awareness and initial impact using pre (n = 878, 57% women) and post-campaign (n = 1319, 58% women) independent adult population samples via an online questionnaire, comprising socio-demographic factors, campaign awareness and recall, and psychosocial and behavioural measures linked to the COM-B model. PA was assessed with IPAQ and the Activity Choice Index. The post-campaign recall was typical of levels following national campaigns (24%). Post-campaign measures were higher for key theory-based targets (all p < 0.05), namely self-efficacy, perceived opportunities to be more active and intrinsic motivation. The impact on social norms and self-efficacy was moderated by campaign awareness. Concerning PA, effects were found for vigorous activity (p < 0.01), but not for incidental activity. Overall the campaign impacted key theory-based intermediate outcomes, but did not influence incidental activity, which highlights the need for sustained and repeated campaign efforts.
- Predictors of physical activity promotion in clinical practice: a cross-sectional study among medical doctorsPublication . Silva, Catarina Santos; Mendes, Romeu; Godinho, Cristina; Monteiro-Pereira, Ana; Pimenta-Ribeiro, Jaime; Martins, Helena Silva; Brito, João; Themudo-Barata, José Luís; Fontes-Ribeiro, Carlos; Teixeira, Pedro J.; Freitas, Graça; Silva, Marlene NunesBackground: Physical activity is a major determinant of physical and mental health. International recommendations identify health professionals as pivotal agents to tackle physical inactivity. This study sought to characterize medical doctors’ clinical practices concerning the promotion of patients’ physical activity, while also exploring potential predictors of the frequency and content of these practices, including doctors’ physical activity level and sedentary behaviours. Methods: A cross-sectional study assessed physical activity promotion in clinical practice with a self-report questionnaire delivered through the national medical prescription software (naturalistic survey). Physical activity and sedentary behaviours were estimated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form). Indicators of medical doctors’ attitudes, knowledge, confdence, barriers, and previous training concerning physical activity promotion tar‑ geting their patients were also assessed. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of physical activity promotion frequency by medical doctors, including sociodemographic, attitudes and knowledge-related variables, and physical activity behaviours as independent variables. Results: A total of 961 medical doctors working in the Portuguese National Health System participated (59% women, mean age 44±13 years) in the study. The majority of the participants (84.6%) reported to frequently promote patients’ physical activity. Five predictors of physical activity promotion frequency emerged from the multiple regression analysis, explaining 17.4% of the dependent variable (p<0.001): working in primary healthcare settings (p=0.037), having a medical specialty (p=0.030), attributing a high degree of relevance to patients’ physical activity promotion in healthcare settings (p<0.001), being approached by patients to address physical activity (p<0.001), and having higher levels of physical activity (p=0.001). Conclusions: The sample of medical doctors approached reported a high level of engagement with physical activity promotion. Physical activity promotion frequency seems to be infuenced by the clinical practice setting, medical career position and specialty, attitudes towards physical activity, and perception of patients´ interest on the topic, as well as medical doctors’ own physical activity levels.