Individual and socio-environmental factors associated with active transport to school among adolescents in Yaoundé
Journal of transport & health 2024 ; 42: .
Tatah L, Foley L, Mba C, Mba CM, Oni T
DOI : 10.1016/j.jth.2024.101977
URL : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2024.101977
Abstract
Introduction
Active transport, the use of human-powered modes of transportation, is an important component of daily physical activity for many school-going adolescents in rapidly urbanising cities in low- and middle-income countries. It's use is threatened by the changing social and environmental factors that accompany urbanisation and induce sedentary behaviour. This study examined the interplay between individual and socio-environmental factors and their association with active transport to school in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 234 secondary school-going adolescents, grouped into three categories according to their household socioeconomic status and school location. Correlates of active commuting and duration of active commuting were assessed using generalised linear models with logistic and gamma functions, respectively.
Results
Adolescents attending schools in higher socioeconomic areas had lower odds of actively commuting to school compared to those attending schools in lower socioeconomic areas, regardless of their household socioeconomic status (SES) (low household SES-high school SES: aOR = 0.11[95%CI: 0.19; 0.82] and high household SES - high school SES: aOR = 0.05[95%CI: 0.01; 0.13]). Among those who actively commuted to school, adolescents attending schools in higher socioeconomic areas spent less time in active commuting compared to those in low socioeconomic areas, regardless of their household socioeconomic status (low household SES-high school SES: exp coefficient = 0.74 [95%CI: 0.60; 0.91] and high household SES - high school SES: exp coefficient = 0.64 [95%CI: 0.50; 0.83]). Additionally, the odds of actively commuting to school were lower in overweight or obese adolescents (aOR = 0.26 [95%CI: 0.10; 0.65]).
Conclusion
Attending school in a higher socioeconomic area was associated with a lower likelihood of, and time spent in, active commuting than in lower socioeconomic areas. Active travel might contribute to overall physical activity in those attending school in low socioeconomic areas, so the supportiveness of the environment for active travel (including dedicated infrastructure, and safety) should also be encouraged.