| dc.description.abstract | Physical activity is a key component in human development and growth, in absence
one is exposed to lifestyle conditions. Secondary school students are among the
affected group where 81% of children aged 5-18 years do not meet the
recommendations hence there is a need to establish why students do not meet those
recommendations. The study purpose was to determine the knowledge level and
assess the attitude and participation level of physical activity among secondary school
students within Kakamega County. Data was collected January 2024 using a
questionnaire with a cross-sectional study design. The study employed a multi-stage
sampling method combining both non-probability and probability sampling
techniques. The targeted population was public secondary school students with a
sample size of 422. However, only 412 students participated giving 97% turnover
rate. 194 (47.1%) were males, while 218 (52.9%) were female, with majority 110
(26.75) of them being 17 years of age. Highest number of students were from
Kakamega High school 128 (31.0%), Ikonyero Secondary School was the least
represented with 63 (14.3%). The study findings revealed that majority of the
students had fair knowledge and a positive attitude toward physical activity. The
results also showed that majority (53%) of the students participated in physical
activity. The study also looked at the relationship between knowledge, attitude and
practice of physical activity, where a moderately positive correlation was found
between the two variables (r=.159, p<0.001) and (r=.178, p<0.001) respectively.
Independent t-test was also done to determine the difference between socio
demographic characteristics and knowledge and attitude toward physical activity
participation. However, the results were insignificant (t (438) = -0.738, p=0.434) in
scores for Male (M=2.07, SD=0.690) and Female (M=2.13, SD=0.738) for
knowledge and (t (438) = -0.373, p=0.709) in scores for Male (M=2.76, SD=0.691)
and Female (M=2.73, SD=0.687) for attitude. To conclude, the study found that most
students had fair knowledge and positive attitude toward physical activity as well as
participation. However, more emphasis should be put on educating the students about
health impacts of engaging in physical activity in both school and home. The study
recommends for more sensitization on health impacts of regular physical activity,
indoor games as well as behavioral change on physical activity participation. | en_US |
