Browsing by Author "Mukaruzima, Lela"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Development of a policy brief to facilitate the implementation of the physical activity/sports policy in Rwanda
    (University of the Western Cape, 2018) Mukaruzima, Lela; Frantz, José M.
    The importance of health enhancing physical activity participation (HEPA) has always been emphasized globally, as one of the means to reduce the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) occurrence. In Africa, it is more relevant currently, due to the growing burden of NCDs that is coupled with the existing encumbrance of communicable diseases. In Rwanda, specifically, there are limited national strategies to promote health-enhancing physical activity. Consequently, the level of physical activity among Rwandans, especially government office workers, is likely to diminish, which could possibly be attributed to the rapid urbanization that comes with lifestyle changes. Basically, most people tend to abandon the traditional labour-intensive activities, which are associated with high energy expenditure, to more sedentary activities. Therefore, the need to promote health enhancing physical activity participation is crucial. Physical activity participation is an intricate and multifaceted behaviour that may not be viewed from a linear perspective. This current study adopted a socio-ecological framework to assess the factors that influence Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) among government employees in Kigali City. The study used an exploratory, sequential, mixed methods of qualitative and quantitative designs, in order to comprehensively explore and understand the research problem. Qualitatively, a Case study and exploratory design was used to collect data, specifically from the Rwanda Sport Policy and its implementing stakeholders. Quantitatively, a cross-sectional, descriptive design was used to assess and describe the levels of LTPA among government workers in Kigali City, as well as highlight the various factors that influence, or limit, their participation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Stakeholder perspectives on promoting health enhancing sport through the Rwanda sports policy
    (Routledge, 2023) Frantz, Jose M.; Mukaruzima, Lela; Duhamahoro, Jimmy
    Sport is an adaptable channel for change. It has been widely used to enhance health and wellbeing, foster social cohesion, and engender peace and development in different societies. The government of Rwanda developed a Sports Development Policy (SDP) to advance sports within the spectrum of its development agendas. However, the extent to which health constructs are integrated and implemented within the tenets of this policy remain unexplored, despite their pivotal role in population wellbeing and in contributing to the country’s overarching development goals. This study sought to understand if and how the Rwanda SDP promotes sports for health from the stakeholders’ perspectives. In-depth semi structured interviews were used for thirteen purposively sampled stakeholders of the SDP. Thematic and narrative analysis were used to examine and report the findings. Themes highlighted a progressive awareness of the Sports Policy pertaining to health outcomes, less involvement of stakeholders in sport policy formulation which affected its implementation, disproportionate efforts between sports policies for health, competitive, and mass sports activities. Stakeholders further underscored cultural beliefs, attitudes, and contextual environmental factors as the key constraints to bridge the policy theory and practice of sports. Finally, findings emphasise the integral role stakeholders play in the life course of a policy. Further, the SDP does not primarily promote sports for health, but rather elite sports, on the premise that health benefits are automatically achieved through participation in sports activities. Thus, reinforcements are still needed to clearly define the national physical activity plan either through the SDP or other national physical activity guidelines.