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. 2024 Dec 23:12:1483153.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1483153. eCollection 2024.

Physical activity and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania: insights for public health policy in low-income contexts

Joyce Sifa Ndabi  1 , Alfa Simwanza  1 , JohnBosco C Chukwuorji  2   3 , Dawn Tladi  4 , Rosemary C Muomah  5 , Sampson K Nwonyi  6 , Doris Akosua Tay  7 , Dale Joachim  8 , Leapetswe Malete  9 , Clement Adamba  10 , Vida Korleki Nyawornota  7 , Oscar Nyanyo Nyanynofio  7 , Samuel Kofi Donkor  6 , Reginald Ocansey  7   11
Affiliations

Physical activity and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania: insights for public health policy in low-income contexts

Joyce Sifa Ndabi et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic heightened anxiety levels globally, disproportionately affecting low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical activity (PA) has shown potential to alleviate mental health challenges, including anxiety. This study explores the relationship between PA and anxiety among Tanzanian adults during the pandemic, examining whether self-reported health status moderates this relationship and identifying demographic variations.

Methods: Data from 213 adults were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Self-reported health was also reported.

Results: Vigorous physical activity was significantly associated with lower anxiety, while moderate physical activity showed weaker effects. Walking and sedentary behavior were not significantly associated with anxiety. Health status did not moderate these relationships, but subgroup analyses indicated stronger effects of vigorous physical activity among men and younger adults.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the relevance of PA, particularly vigorous and moderate physical activity, in supporting mental health in LMIC contexts such as Tanzania. The findings further underscore the importance of targeted, culturally relevant physical activity interventions in LMICs to mitigate anxiety and enhance mental health resilience.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Tanzania; anxiety; low-income contexts; physical activity; policy; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Correlation between physical activity and anxiety.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Moderation analysis: health status as a moderator.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean anxiety levels by gender.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Anxiety levels by age group.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mean anxiety levels by type of physical activity.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Self-reported health status moderates the relationship between physical activity and anxiety.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Comparison of mean anxiety levels among participants based on their primary type of physical activity.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Relationship between self-reported health status and anxiety levels.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Mean anxiety levels between male and female participants.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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