Barriers and Facilitators in Adopting Healthy Lifestyles in West Ethiopia: A Qualitative Research Study

Abstract

Risks of NCDs are prevented by adopting healthy lifestyles, but it remains a matter of concern and the knowledge regarding the effect of social factors on health almost not researched in West Ethiopia. The objective of the study is to explore barriers and facilitators in adopting healthy lifestyles among urban residents of West Ethiopia. A qualitative study design was used with three diversified focus group discussion (FGD) guidance to obtain adoption and perception of 27 participants’ on healthy lifestyles. The collected audio-record and session note data’s; were transcribed, verbatim and qualitatively analyzed through a thematic approach. The following themes were identified based on social capital perception frames (bonding, bridging, and linking). Barriers theme: negative influence from family, peer pressure and perceive towards unhealthy lifestyles &obesity, and accepted socialization by the community (bonding); inadequate awareness on NCD screening and management and insufficient support from health care workers (bridging); and hospital & community healthcare professionals related barriers, inequity in the allocation of public resources (linking). Facilitators theme: motivation to participate in physical activity (bonding); cooperative relationships with health extension workers (bridging); and fear of morbidity and mortality; access of media to an aware, healthy lifestyle (linking); were identified themes to healthy lifestyles adoption. This study revealed that urban residents of west Ethiopia adopted unhealthy lifestyles. Bonding, bridging and linking social capital would be work as barriers and facilitators to adopting healthy lifestyles. Therefore, integrating quoted findings into the chronic care system need attention.