Sports and Games Preference and Mental Well-Being among Community Health Officers-In-Training at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed sports and games preference and mental well-being among community health officers-in-training at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, Nigeria. A descriptive research design of the survey type was adopted. The population of the study comprised all CHOs-in-training at the College of Community Health, UITH, Kwara State totalling 104. A purposive sampling technique was used to select all 104 students as the sample size. A validated structured questionnaire was used for data gathering. The reliability of the instrument was carried out using split half method and data were correlated using Spearman-Brown Rank Order which yielded R coefficient of 0.79. Research questions were answered and presented using percentage, composite bar chart and mean score. The null hypothesis was tested using Chi-square statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that volleyball was the most preferred sport (30.8%), while ludo was the most preferred game (15.4%). On gender basis, male mostly preferred football (62%), while females preferred volleyball (75%). Participation in sports and games enhanced mental well-being (grand mean = 4.20). Also, males and females students differ significantly in their selection of sports and games (p-value = 0.0043, p < .05). It was recommended that students should focus more attention on both volleyball and football, while other sports and games should not be neglected. Also, students should continue to engage in sports and games as a means of promoting mental health for optimal academic performance.