Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Of Exercise Among Medical Students At Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Nigeria.

Background: Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases globally, with medical

students uniquely positioned to influence public awareness and practice regarding exercise. Despite recognized

health benefits, stress and academic demands may restrict healthy lifestyle adoption in this population.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of exercise among medical, nursing, and

midwifery students at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka,

Nigeria, and to identify barriers to regular physical activity.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 249 students (stratified into medicine, nursing, and

midwifery departments) using a systematic random sampling method. Data collection involved a semistructured, validated, self-administered questionnaire encompassing sociodemographic characteristics,

knowledge of exercise, attitudinal variables, and practice patterns. Frequency tables, cross-tabulation, and

inferential statistics (using IBM SPSS v23) were used for analysis. Ethical approval and informed consent were

obtained.

Results: Knowledge of exercise and its health benefits was almost universal (99.6%), with school and mass

media as the major sources. Most respondents recognized cardiovascular and psychological benefits; however,

only 11.3% reported daily exercise, and 37.7% exercised once weekly. Jogging (49.4%) and swimming (17.8%)

were the most common activities. Duration of exercise was typically 20–30 minutes, with 85% preferring

outdoor activities. Fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort were the frequent adverse effects noted. Notably,

academic schedule (17.3%) and limited facilities were the predominant barriers to regular participation. Males

were slightly more active than females regarding practice frequency and duration (p < 0.05), although

knowledge levels were similar across groups.

Conclusions: Despite high awareness and positive attitudes, the practice of regular exercise among medical

and allied students at COOUTH remains suboptimal. Academic workload and infrastructure limitations are

significant impediments. Targeted interventions—such as curriculum integration of physical activity, improved

campus facilities, and tailored health promotion—are recommended to bridge the gap between knowledge and

practice, fostering lifelong healthy habits in future healthcare professionals.