Pattern of physical activity, sleep duration and quality of life among individuals with diabetes mellitus in selected health facilities in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria

Data on physical activity (PA) and sleep duration (SD) as important correlates of quality of life (QoL) among diabetic patients are scarce. This study investigated the pattern of self-reported PA, SD and QoL in purposively selected diabetes patients (N = 124, mean age: 54.61) at two major hospitals in Kano, Nigeria. Respondents’ PA level, SD and QoL were estimated using the International PA Questionnaire, a single-item measure of sleep and the Short Form-36 Health Survey respectively. Nighttime SD was estimated in hours and the mean for the previous seven days was recorded. Respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics were also obtained while weight and height were measured. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Spearman correlation) at p ≤0.05. 56.5%, 37.9% and 5.6% of them had low, moderate and high PA levels respectively. 57 (46%) slept for <6 hours and 67 (54%) for 6-8 hours. While 86% had QoL physical component summary of <50, 13% had ≥50. Those with mental component summary <50 (57.3%) were also more than those with values ≥50 (42.7%). There was no significant correlation between PA and either of the two clinical variables (sleep duration [p = 0.075, r = 0.160] and QoL [SF-36 PSC, p = 0.435, r = 0.071; SF-36 MSC, p = 0.379, r = -0.080]). Furthermore, SD did not significantly correlate with QoL (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the majority of the respondents were not meeting any of the criteria for either moderate or high levels of PA with SD being poor for significant proportion of them for optimal QoL and general wellbeing.