ASPO Abstracts
Correlates of physical inactivity and interest in becoming physically active among ethnically diverse rural and urban colorectal cancer survivors in New Mexico
Category: Survivorship & Health Outcomes/Comparative Effectiveness Research, Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention
Conference Year: 2018
Abstract Body:
PURPOSE: Examine sociodemographic and health correlates of physical inactivity and interest in becoming physically active among rural and urban colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors in New Mexico. METHODS: Physical activity questions from a mailed survey were completed by 288 CRC survivors (40% Hispanic, 39% rural). Adherence to physical activity guidelines was defined as 150 minutes per week of moderate- or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity activity. Logistic regression was used to evaluate correlates of guideline adherence and interest in becoming more physically active. Potential correlates included sociodemographic factors (age, sex, ethnicity, education, income) and indicators of health and well-being (obesity, comorbidities, fatigue, physical function, satisfaction with participation in social roles/activities, depression, anxiety, and pain). RESULTS: A similar percentage of rural and urban CRC survivors were non-adherent to physical activity guidelines (55% vs. 50%). The primary correlates of non-adherence among rural CRC survivors were obesity (OR=2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.7) and lower satisfaction with participation in social roles (OR=4.0, 95% CI 1.6-9.8). For urban CRC survivors, the primary correlates were female gender (OR=2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.6) and poor physical functioning (OR=3.6, 95% CI 1.8-7.3). Among survivors non-adherent to guidelines, 40% of rural and 44% of urban CRC survivors indicated they would like help with increasing their physical activity. Rural survivors wanting help were more likely to be male (OR=6.5, 95% CI 1.2-34.9), obese (OR=5.4, 95% CI 1.1-27.5), have lower income (OR=5.6, 95% CI 1.1-28.9), or experience anxiety (OR=11.4, 95% CI 2.3-56.7). Urban survivors wanting help with becoming physically active were more likely to experience anxiety (OR=4.6, 95% CI 1.1-19.0), fatigue (OR=6.4, 95% CI 1.9-22.2), or have post-high school education (OR=10.4, 95% CI 1.9-56.2). CONCLUSION: While the percentages of rural and urban CRC survivors who were physically inactive and interested in becoming more active were similar, the correlates differed. Future interventions to promote physical activity in CRC survivors in New Mexico will need to address socio-demographic, physical and psychosocial health factors affecting this population.
Keywords: cancer survivors, physical activity, rural