Ghana PA_COVID 19_Student Data

Research evidence has shown some geographical variations in physical activity (PA) between rural and urban environments. However, engagement in PA among African populations in the wake of COVID-19 has been largely unexplored. The current study examined residential area differences in PA, overweight, and self-rated health status among participants during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. Participants (N = 856) were recruited from the university community during the COVID-19 health crisis by means of an online survey posted on various social media platforms, through direct e-mail invitations, and in-person recruitment. More than half of the participants (56.0%) have not been vaccinated for COVID-19, but their self-rated health status were mostly good (87.6%) and only a few (12.4%) rated their health status as poor. Most of the participants rated their weight as normal (80.1%). A statistically significant difference was observed in walking between participants whose place of residence was in the city and those who resided in the town during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.047).