Community based health promotional intervention to improve physical activity among rural women in Vavuniya

[Audio] Community based health promotional intervention to improve physical activity among rural women in Vavuniya -Group F2- 7/8/2026.

[Audio] 1.Approaching the community Researches selected Poonthoddam village, Vavuniya. Eligible women aged 30 – 55 years were invited to participate voluntarily. The intervention followed the participatory action research ( PAR ) approach, where researches and community members worked together. Women were encouraged to participate actively rather than simply receive health education. Small groups were formed to promote participation and ownership..

[Audio] 2.Discussion about expected targets/ changes with the community Researchers and the women discuss the expected changes, which included : Increasing physical activity levels. Reducing physical inactivity. Improving knowledge about physical activity. Developing positive attitudes towards exercise. Encouraging women to adopt healthier lifestyle and maintain healthy body weight. Improving overall wellbeing..

[Audio] 3. Identifying underlying factors affecting the change 1.Lack of intension to engage in physical activity. How this affected behavior. Physical activity was not a priority. Women rarely planned time for exercise. Most believed their routine work was sufficient. 2.Unfavourable self generated gender norms. Examples: Adult women should not play games or sports. Brisk walking or exercising in public was considered inappropriate for women. Physical exercise was viewed as something mainly for children or man..

[Audio] 3, Poor knowledge about physical activity Example: The health benefits of the regular physical activity. The amount and type of physical activity recommended for good health. The relationship between physical activity and disease such as obesity , Hypertension , Diabetes and heart disease..

[Audio] 4.Selecting underlying factors that could be change with the community The identified determinants were prioritized based on; Whether they affected most women. Whether they realistically be modified during the Four months intervention. The community agreed to focus on; Increasing intension to be physically active. Improving knowledge about physical activity. Changing negative gender norms related to women’s participation in exercise..

[Audio] 5.Selecting activities to change each factor and decding with community Activities: To improve knowledge. Interactive discussions on: Wellbeing Healthy lifestyle Overweight Physical activity To Increase Intension: Women assess their own weekly activities using a physical activity pyramid. Compare their activities with a recommended activity pyramid. Discussed practical ways to become more active..

[Audio] To change gender norms Group discussions challenging beliefs that women should not exercise. Video demonstrations showing women engaging in brisk walking and other physical activities. Discussion on the acceptability of these activities in rural and urban Sri Lankan settings. Community participation 6 women’s group (5-8 members each). Meeting every 2 weeks. Women gradually took over facilitation of discussion from the researcher. Indicators use to monitor progress Level of physical activity using the WHO international physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Monthly body weight. Monthly body mass index (BMI). Participation and continuation of group activities..

[Audio] 6. Initiating the changing process with the community Intervention continued for 4 months. Discussions and activity sessions were held every 2 week. Women supported and motivated each other within their groups. Monthly weight monitoring encouraged continued participation. As confidence increased, community members themselves led the sessions, demonstrating community ownerships and sustainability..

[Audio] THANK YOU..!. THANK YOU..!.