Adherence to physical activity among people living with type 2 diabetes attending clinics in regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

Background In Tanzania, about 10.3% of the people aged 20 to 79 are living with type 2 diabetes and the prevalence is rising. Effective management of type 2 diabetes relies on adherence to self-care behaviors, including physical activity. However, information on physical activity adherence among people living with type 2 diabetes in Tanzania is scarce. This study aimed to determine the adherence levels to physical activity among people living with type 2 diabetes in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods A cross-sectional study among people living with type 2 diabetes attending clinics at regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam was conducted in June 2023. Respondents were recruited through systematic sampling, and their physical activity levels measured using the WHO STEPwise method for NCD risk factor surveillance. Data were analyzed using STATA version 15. Results The overall physical activity adherence rate was 47% among the 264 respondents in the study, indicating that a significant proportion of people living with type 2 diabetes did not adhere to the recommended activity levels. Specifically, only 16.7% engaged sufficiently in work-related activities, 30.3% in transport-related activities, and 13.3% in leisure-based activities, while 24.6% had a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusion Less than half of people living with type 2 diabetes in Dar es Salaam meet the WHO-recommended physical activity levels. The lowest participation was in leisure-related activities compared to travel and work-related activities. Targeted urban interventions are needed to enhance well-being and improve physical activity adherence by increasing awareness and access to leisure activities.