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Table 2 Qualitative results for theme: physical activity perceptions (N = 337 meaning units)

From: Stakeholder perspectives on adapting and disseminating Ghana’s physical activity guidelines: a qualitative study

Subtheme (N = meaning units)

Category (N = meaning units)

Example meaning unit

Barriers to physical activity (N = 232)

Built environment (N = 51)

If you come out with this document, it will be a shelve documents; the facilities are not available.

Lack of time (N = 41)

… you will have to be at work by 8 AM and so you will have to get up early to do some jogging and in the evening from close of work the traffic in Accra; what time will you get to walk and do all kind of things as such. There are hardly for you to get space during the weekdays because of these activities and the weekends are always packed with activities.

Parenting (N = 24)

I think when you do not want the child to be hurt; when here there are restrictions from parents or guidance. You may think the child might get hurt through exercise so you prevent the child from doing it.

Ill health (N = 23)

Some are also as a result of sickness. Sickness could prevent one from doing exercise.

Lack of education (N = 20)

Sometimes the knowledge is also a factor, if I am not aware of how importance PA is, when there is even time I will rather prefer sitting and chatting rather than going out for a walk.

Low motivation (N = 16)

Lack of motivation to exercise [prevents regular physical activity].

Injury concerns (N = 14)

Because at their age [elderly] that is when weak bones set it, they become susceptible to fractures.

Gender roles (N = 12)

If the males are not around [the females can pound the fufu].

Lack of support (N = 9)

No encouragement from friends and family [prevents regular physical activity].

Sedentary hobbies (N = 9)

And also gadgets like televisions, phones, television games and computer games; is sort of engages them so they are not able to go out and play.

Substance abuse (N = 7)

Alcoholism [prevents adults from regular physical activity].

Poor nutrition (N = 6)

Hunger is also a factor. When they are satisfied they can play a lot. Like most children, when they are hungry, they will always be in the house but immediately they get satisfied, they move out to play.

Personal beliefs (N = 58)

Individual abilities (N = 36)

Some is also due to lack of strength. If you are not strong you cannot exercise.

Benefits of PA (N = 8)

The little I will like to add to encourage others is that, when you exercise it makes you live long so we should try am much as possible to be able to do it.

Preferred day/time (N = 8)

Exercises at week ends.

Meaning of PA (N = 6)

Exercise can be translated into Twi as “apomutenene” (stretching of muscles).

Facilitators to PA (N = 47)

Education (N = 25)

When we let people know, it is always good to have some exercise within the week or for some minutes, that will encourage individuals or making them know the benefits, what they can actually gain from exercise, it will encourage them.

Facilities/equipment (N = 9)

With the elderly, I think the club/gym level is a better choice.

Social support (N = 6)

If they see their colleagues engaged in athletics it encourages them to also participate in it. They then call each other when they are going to play.

Good nutrition (N = 4)

What will help them [young ones] is to eat carbohydrate rich foods such as cassava, maize. When they eat very well they can exercise very well.

Group exercise (N = 3)

Group exercise such as pension groups.