Table 2.
Public health managers’ perceptions on barriers and solutions to address physical inactivity and prolonged sitting in Oman
| Theme | Sub-theme |
|---|---|
| Barriers to addressing physical inactivity | |
| Intrapersonal | Lack of motivation |
| Lack of awareness | |
| Lack of time | |
| Social environment | Social restrictions on women |
| Low value placed on physical activity | |
| Dependence on motorized transport | |
| Social restrictions for older people | |
| Cultural norm to employ domestic workers | |
| Negative association of public transport/taxis | |
| Physical environment | Inadequate infrastructure |
| Limited access to places to be active | |
| Limited access to government sports clubs | |
| Limited access to private sports clubs | |
| Weather | |
| Sedentary work setting | |
| Public policy environment | Ineffective health communication |
| Limited resources | |
| Focus on curative | |
| Lack of healthy public policies | |
| Solutions to address physical activity | |
| Build conducive environment | Build supportive infrastructure |
| Build culturally appropriate infrastructure | |
| Community participation | Identify and work with relevant groups and organizations |
| Multisectoral coordination | Work with other sectors |
| Advocate for supportive environment | |
| Establish a national health promotion body | |
| Strengthen Ministry of Health policies and programmes | Improve health communication |
| Use settings approach | |
| Conduct research | |
| Promote physical activity for staff | |
| Review human resource requirements | |
| Strengthen primary health care | |
| Region-specific action | |
| Establish unit within the Ministry of Health | |
| Address physical activity and diet together | |
| Barriers to addressing prolonged sitting | |
| Intrapersonal | Lack of awareness |
| Lack of motivation | |
| Social environment | Sedentary culture |
| Limited culturally appropriate activities for women | |
| Cultural norm to employ domestic workers | |
| Physical environment | Limited access to non-sedentary activities |
| Sedentary work setting | |
| Solutions to address prolonged sitting | |
| Community participation | Identify and work with relevant groups and organizations |
| Multisectoral coordination | Advocate for supportive environment for physical activity |
| Work with other sectors | |
| Strengthen Ministry of Health policies and programmes | Raise awareness |
| Use settings approach | |
| Address physical activity and sitting time together | |
| Conduct research |