An assessment of perceived lack of availability to sports facilities among Iranian adults: prevalence and determinants from the 2021 STEPS survey.
9.5% of Iranian adults perceive a lack of access to sports facilities, influenced by factors like age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the slu-pp-332 (exercise mimetic) corpusSummary and findings
This study assessed perceived availability of sports facilities among Iranian adults aged 18 and above using data from the 2021 STEPS survey. The prevalence of perceived lack of availability was found to be 9.5%. Various socioeconomic factors influenced access to these facilities.
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>Access to sports facilities is a critical determinant of sufficient physical activity (PA) and is influenced by many socioeconomic status (SES) factors. This study aimed to assess the perceived availability of suitable places for exercise and physical activity (PA) and their determinants among Iranians aged 18 and above from all provinces.<h4>Methods</h4>This study is a secondary analysis based on Iran's 2021 STEPwise Approach to Non-Communicable Risk Factors Surveillance (STEPS) survey. Factors including PA, access to sports facilities from the perspective of individuals, and SES factors were assessed through standardized questionnaires. Associations between predictors and lack of sports facility access were analyzed via sex-specific multivariable logistic regression.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 25,962 participants from the STEPS-2021 survey were included in this analysis. The mean age (95% CI) of the participants was 46.0 years (45.8, 46.2), and females constituted 54.0% (95% CI: 53.3, 54.7) of the participants. The prevalence of perceived lack of availability among the participants was 9.5 (95% CI: 9.1,9.9). Considerable provincial differences were observed, with the eastern and southeastern regions showing the highest prevalence. The odds of a lack of availability from the perspective of the participants were lower among older females in comparion to females under 45 (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.76 for 45-64; AOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.49 for ≥ 65), urban residents in compasrion to rural residents (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.57 males; AOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.58 females), married (AOR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.93) and divorced/widowed females (AOR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.86) in comparison to single ones, employed females vs. unpaid work (AOR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.81), and the richest wealth group vs. the poorest (AOR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55,0.94 males; AOR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.76 females).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Access to suitable places for exercise and physical activity in Iran is affected by sex, age, SES, occupation, and geography. Females, rural residents, and low-wealth groups face barriers. Expanding facilities, ensuring affordability, and adopting policies that involve community and public-private initiatives are needed to increase PA and reduce health burdens.<h4>Supplementary information</h4>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-026-02048-6.
Background
Access to sports facilities is a critical determinant of sufficient physical activity (PA) and is influenced by socioeconomic status (SES) factors. Prior research has indicated that perceived availability of exercise spaces can impact physical activity levels. This study aims to provide insights into the prevalence of perceived lack of availability and its determinants among Iranian adults, which is important for public health initiatives.
Methods
This research is a secondary analysis based on Iran's 2021 STEPwise Approach to Non-Communicable Risk Factors Surveillance (STEPS) survey. The study included 25,962 participants aged 18 and above from all provinces. Standardized questionnaires assessed factors related to PA and access to sports facilities. Associations were analyzed using sex-specific multivariable logistic regression.
Results
The primary finding indicates a 9.5% prevalence of perceived lack of availability of sports facilities among participants, with a 95% confidence interval of 9.1 to 9.9. Significant provincial differences were noted, with higher prevalence in eastern and southeastern regions. Various factors such as age, sex, SES, and geography were associated with perceived availability.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that perceived lack of access to sports facilities is influenced by multiple factors, including age and socioeconomic status. While the results are statistically significant, the clinical implications depend on the extent to which these perceptions affect actual physical activity levels. Limitations include reliance on self-reported data and the nature of secondary analysis, which may affect the robustness of the conclusions.
Key findings
- 9.5% prevalence of perceived lack of availability among participants, 95% CI: 9.1, 9.9.
- AOR for females aged 45-64 was 0.66, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.76.
- AOR for females aged ≥ 65 was 0.38, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.49.
- AOR for urban residents vs rural residents was 0.47 for males, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.57; AOR 0.49 for females, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.58.
- AOR for married females vs single was 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.93.
- AOR for the richest wealth group vs the poorest was 0.72 for males, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.94; AOR 0.61 for females, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.76.
Limitations
- Self-reported data may introduce bias.
- Secondary analysis does not establish causation.
- Provincial differences may affect generalizability.
- Cross-sectional design limits temporal conclusions.