Assessment of Job – Related Physical Activities and Transportation of Nurses in Lagos State

Abstract

This study examined job- related physical activities and transportation of nurses in Lagos state. The decline in human physical activity and high dependence on automation has posed a global health concern among various professions. Many nurses are of the opinion that job-related physical activities are enough to maintain physical fitness and health. The descriptive survey research design was adopted. Random selection of 180 female nurses from six public hospitals in Lagos state; out of which 172 constituted the respondents. The open ended questionnaire format was adopted. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed that majority (69.8%) of the nurses are employed outside their homes; involvement in physical activity for a short period of time was significant; very few (5.2%) recorded high involvement in walking at work and this was significant. Most nurses had significantly (60.5%) moderate level of length of time travelling by means of transportation. Over 50% of the nurses had moderate involvement in walking and this was significant. Based on the findings, nurses should engage in walking as physical activity beyond the professional demand to enhance their physical, mental, physiological and psychological health.