Cultural Influences on Physical Activity and Exercise Beliefs in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Overview

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Patients who spend a lot of time being inactive have an increased chance of developing CVD. Thus, interventions that can help to increase the levels of physical activity in patients with CKD are needed. A recent study the investigators completed with kidney transplant participants showed a benefit from the investigators supervised exercise programme. However, the investigators results showed that 11 of the 18 patients who dropped out from the 12-month study were from black and minority ethnic groups. Some patient feedback from these participants suggested that cultural beliefs; including women not being comfortable to exercise in front of men in an exercise class environment, and difficulties around appropriate dress for exercise classes, contributed to some of these participants' decisions to withdraw from the study. This has prompted the investigators to investigate, the cultural influences that may contribute to patient decisions about partaking in physical activity and exercise training. The aim of this study is therefore to invite patients with CKD from the three most widely represented ethnic groups found in our South-East London Hospital Trust (Black African and African-Caribbean; South Asian, and White Caucasian patients) to discuss their beliefs and the cultural influences that may affect their decision on whether to engage with exercise and physical activity. Participants will complete a questionnaire on physical activity levels, and a questionnaire that looks at a patient's readiness to be involved in physical activity, prior to attending interviews or group discussions. The questionnaires will be translated for use with non-English speaking participants and will be used to ensure we get views on physical activity from those participants who are active and not, and ready to be involved in physical activity, and not. A combination of individual interviews and group discussions will then be used to explore the understanding of the terms 'physical activity' and 'exercise', and cultural barriers to participation. The investigators will have interpreters present for all discussions, undertaken in the community. The work from this pilot study will be used to inform and design a larger multi-centre study with an aim to design physical interventions that are culturally sensitive, and appropriate for all patients with CKD in the United Kingdom.

Background: This present study will utilise Stokol's Social Ecological Theory of Health Behaviour as the main theoretical framework. This multi-level Ecological theory suggests that an individual's behaviour results from a complex interaction between the individual, the environment, and community in which they live. Multi-level theories are thought to be more robust and explanatory, in comparison to single-level approaches as they are representative of the public health approach to population change. Ecological approaches such as Stokol's Social Ecological Theory form a robust base to evaluate complex multifactorial behaviours such as physical activity. This theory has been used, and is promoted for use, in designing community-level health programmes, such as physical activity interventions for different ethnic communities. David Howe, a sports anthropologist, will advise the research team with the interpretation of the data using this framework. Purpose: The purpose of this present study is to utilise a mixed-methods design to explore the understanding of physical activity and exercise, and factors that contribute to a decision to be physically active or sedentary, in patients with CKD from different ethnic backgrounds. The investigators intend to measure self-reported physical activity levels with the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) and self-efficacy for exercise (readiness to start doing exercise) with Bandura's self-efficacy for exercise scale. The investigators then aim to explore perceptions, attitudes and values about physical activity and exercise therapy in different ethnic groups. The investigators will ensure that views are captured from patients stratified by activity, readiness to be active, age and gender. To accomplish these goals, the present study will explore: (i) the understanding of the terms 'physical activity' and 'exercise'; (ii) the interpretation of the socio-cultural contexts in which they choose (or not) to be physically active, and; (iii) the participants understanding of physical activity and exercise opportunities and barriers in their local environment. All questionnaires will be translated for non-English speaking participants, and individual and focus group discussions will be facilitated with translators.