Barriers and Facilitators of Rural Women's Physical Activity

Abstract

Background: A sedentary lifestyle is recognized as a leading cause of death worldwide. Providing sports facilities and programs for rural women is essential, as doing so can improve their physical and mental health and contribute to their social and economic empowerment. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate facilitators and barriers to physical activity among women living in rural areas of Kangavar, Iran. Methods: This qualitative study used a conventional content analysis approach. In total, 24 women, 12 men, and 3 local administrative managers participated in four focus groups conducted between August and September 2021. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, and data collection continued until data saturation was reached. Data collection and analysis were conducted continuously and concurrently. Results: The findings revealed that although participants perceived the level of physical activity among rural women as insufficient, they nevertheless emphasized its importance. Analysis of the interview data and codes yielded five main categories of barriers: social, cultural, personal, family, and environmental. Conclusions: This study underscores the need to develop tailored, multilevel programs that address social, cultural, environmental, and individual factors to enhance physical activity participation in this population.