Abstract
Homelessness poses serious public health and social challenges, with vulnerable populations facing heightened risks due to factors including economic hardships and limited housing. Physical activity is one of the key determinants of health, yet little is known about physical activity behaviours among people experiencing homelessness. This study explores physical activity and its determinants among people experiencing homelessness. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was employed. Quantitative data were collected from participants at a Harm Reduction Centre through the administration of structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were gathered from interviews with three staff members. A total of 165 participants, mostly male (78.7%) and three staff members participated. Most clients self-rated their physical (79.4%) and mental health (92.1%) as good, yet 76.4% of them reported poor nutrition. Walking was the most common form of physical activity reported by clients at BHRC. Key determinants of low physical activity included lack of daily structure, limited resources, poor nutrition, and mental health challenges, with age significantly associated with physical activity participation in relation to mental health (χ^2 = 7.711, p-value = 0.032), while gender and education showed no significant effects (p-value >0.05). These findings indicate that while people experiencing homelessness engage in some physical activity through daily survival tasks, overall activity levels are limited by structural, nutritional, and psychosocial barriers. Interventions to promote physical activity should address these contextual challenges, including providing stable routines, access to resources, nutritional support, and age-sensitive mental health services, to improve both physical and mental well-being.
Presenters
Julian PillayProfessor and Research Chair, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Homelessness, Physical activity, Well-being
