Abstract
Little data exists regarding health behaviours of post-secondary students experiencing disabilities. The purpose of this study was to explore associations between disability and movement behaviours ([MB]; physical activity, sleep, sedentary behaviour, and screen time) among students attending post-secondary institutions across Canada. A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from the online Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey Fall 2020 to Winter 2023 cycles (n=69,239). Associations between disability experience (physical, blind/visual impairment, Deaf/hard of hearing, neurological) and adherence to MB recommendations were determined using log-binomial regression, after controlling for several confounders (e.g., age, gender, domestic/international status, etc.).
Participants experiencing disabilities were 17% (95% CI: 12-23%) less likely to meet all MB recommendations than participants not experiencing disabilities. Participants experiencing physical disabilities were 6% (95% CI: 4-9%) less likely to meet physical activity recommendations than persons not experiencing physical disabilities. Adherence to MB recommendations did not differ among participants experiencing Deafness/hard of hearing and participants not experiencing Deafness/hard of hearing (Prevalence Ratios of 0.94-1.06, p>.05). Participants experiencing blindness/visual impairments were 13% (95% CI: 2-22%) less likely to meet screen time recommendations than participants not experiencing blindness/visual impairments. Persons experiencing neurological disabilities were 18% (95% CI: 12-23%) less likely to meet all MB recommendations than persons not experiencing neurological disabilities. Significant relationships were not observed between number of disabilities experienced and adherence to MB recommendations (Prevalence Ratios of 0.82-0.88, p>.05). Findings highlight the need for meaningful programs/resources promoting MB among post-secondary students experiencing disabilities.
