Regenerative health maintenance practice of Ghanaian urban men

Sandra Boatemaa, Regional Institute for Population Studies

Regenerative health (RH) is the adoption of healthy lifestyles to prevent diseases. Although the components of RH are individually oriented, social representations can hinder practise. The study identifies the influence and differentials of background characteristics on RH practises of urban men and assesses the impact of Ghana’s RHN program. The 2008 GDHS was analysed to identify glasses of water men consumed daily, days men exercised in a week and daily rest duration of men, employing their background characteristics. Urban men drink six glasses of water daily, rest three hours daily and exercise three out of seven days. Age, education, marital, wealth status and religion determined glasses of water consumed. Days’ exercised was related to age, education, marital status and religion. Also, age, education, marital and wealth status influenced rest duration. Multivariate analysis highlighted the association between education, marital status and religion to resting hours and physical activity. RH practise can be encouraged by adopting a multi-level approach.