LAUSR

Women suffer from many diseases that are associated with low level of physical activity. The aim of this paper was to estimate the association between physical activity and self- perceived health of women in the Province of Vojvodina. Research was conducted as a cross-sectional study on a sample of 1356 women aged 20-65 years in Vojvodina, as a part of the National Health Survey in Serbia, 2013. Physical activity was analysed through 3 domains of physical activity - as leisure time physical activity, walking and cycling for transportation and physical activity at work. Univariate and binary logistic regression was used to estimate the association of poor self-perceived health as dependent variable with 3 domains of physical activity. Multivariate model were adjusted for age, type of settlement, DHS Wealth Index, education and employment status. One of twelve women was physically active in leisure time 150 minutes and more (8.1%), 50.0% of women walked for transportation 150 minutes and more weekly, while 16.5% cycled 150 minutes and more weekly. Women who never walked for transportation had 9.17 time higher chance to self-perceived their health as poor compared to those who are active 150 minutes and more weekly (OR = 9.17; 95%CI 4.16-20.18), while women who are inactive at work had 1.74 higher chance to self-perceived their health as poor compared to working active women (OR = 1.74; 95%CI 1.14-2.66). Physical activity at work and in the form of walking for transportation showed as predictors of poor self-perceived health. Regular physical activity can improve womens’ health and help prevent many of the diseases and conditions that are major causes of death and disability for women around the world. Physical activity can contribute to building self-esteem and confidence and can provide a vehicle for social integration and equality for women in society.