Barriers and Facilitators to Participating in an Exercise Referral Scheme among Women Living in a Low Socioeconomic Area in Australia: A Qualitative Investigation Using the COM-B and Theoretical Domains Framework

Introduction: Despite the health benefits of regular physical activity, women experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage are at high risk of inactivity. Reasons are multifactorial but likely include broad structural and contextual factors, e.g., lack of access to physical activity programs, as well as individual and interpersonal factors, e.g., lack of motivation and childcaring responsibilities. Few studies among women of low socioeconomic position (SEP) have explored these factors in-depth, yet an understanding of these factors can help inform the development and improve the uptake of exercise referral schemes. The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and COM-B model (capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour) were employed to understand behaviours for intervention development. Therefore, using these behaviour change models, this study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators influencing the use of an exercise referral scheme among women living in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who had registered with a free exercise referral scheme (Live Life Get Active) and living in a low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Sydney, Australia. Reflexive thematic analysis and framework analysis were used to allow naturally identified themes to be determined and then allocated to theoretically driven domains. Results: Nine women were interviewed (aged 30-69 years). Eighteen themes were identified and mapped directly on to the six COM-B constructs. The most reported barriers to using the physical activity referral scheme related to the opportunity construct of the COM-B model, specifically childcare responsibilities, work commitments and environmental barriers. Key facilitators were enjoyment (motivation), no cost (opportunity), instructor led (opportunity) and social support (opportunity). Conclusion: Future exercise referral schemes targeting women living in low-SEP neighbourhoods should ensure programs are designed and delivered to overcome barriers aligned with the constructs of the COM-B model, particularly opportunity-related constructors.