An Ecological Exploration of Facilitators to Participation in a Mosque-Based Physical Activity Program for South Asian Muslim Women

Abstract

Background: This descriptive qualitative study informed by an ecological framework explored factors influencing South Asian Muslim women's decisions to participate in a mosque-based physical activity intervention.

Methods: Individual, face-to-face, semistructured interviews were conducted in English, Hindi, or Urdu with 12 South Asian Muslim women at their home or mosque in Ontario, Canada. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and managed, sorted, and analyzed for themes through a process of descriptive analysis.

Results: The participants described as follows: (1) intrapersonal facilitators, which included their feelings, beliefs, and motivations to continue with this intervention; (2) interpersonal facilitators detailing the support that they had received from others during the intervention; and (3) environmental facilitators, which highlighted convenience and access to physical activity opportunities in a local community setting.

Conclusion: This intervention displayed how South Asian Muslim women were motivated to continue with the mosque-based physical activity intervention due to interpersonal, intrapersonal, and environmental facilitators. The findings can be used to increase further understanding of how mosques may provide culturally and religiously sensitive contexts for physical activity interventions for South Asian Muslim women.

Keywords: Islam; ecological model; faith-based; health promotion; intervention research; mosque-based physical activity intervention; qualitative.