This nationwide cross sectional survey aimed to identify and evaluate the Filipino family physicians knowledge, attitudes and practices related to exercise prescription. To ensure wider scope of participation, 2 procedures were followed: firstly, is by random sampling from 3,200 active members listed in PAFP 1993 directory; and secondly, is by purposive sampling to those who attended the 1995 midyear convention in Zamboanga City. A device was used to ensure that no duplication of respondents occurred. A validated questionnaire was mailed to those identified subjects, while disproportionate random distribution was done during the convention, 263 respondents participated in the study representing 75% of the computed sample size of 350. Data gathered were encoded in a data base program and analyzed using the SAS system. Descriptive analysis and Contingency Table Analysis were the statistical tools used with a level of p0.05 considered as significant. Results showed that while the Filipino family physicians also highlighted factors wanting improvement such as their insufficient knowledge and conflicting attitudes regarding exercise prescription and their unsatisfactory personal physical exercise practices. It was recommended to include exercise prescription program in the undergraduate and postgraduate medical curriculum. Likewise, the awareness promotion on the benefits of doing regular physical exercise has to be done from the barangay to the national level.

The Filipino Family Physician, 1997 35 ( 2 ) pages 45-67