Pregnant women's knowledge, attitude, and practice toward physical exercise during pregnancy and its associated factors at Dessie town health institutions, Ethiopia
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Physical exercise consists of planned, repetitive, and intentional movements that reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications. Worldwide, there is a high rate of physical inactivity during pregnancy, including in Ethiopia, which has detrimental effects on both pregnant women and their developing fetus. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess pregnant women's knowledge, attitude, and practice toward physical exercise during pregnancy and its associated factors among antenatal care attendants at health institutions in Dessie, South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, in 2023. STUDY DESIGN: value of <.05 in the multivariate analysis were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study found that 56.3% of participants had good knowledge, 51.5% of participants had a favorable attitude, and 32.2% of participants practiced physical exercise during pregnancy. Age, educational level, and heard about physical exercise during pregnancy were positively associated with pregnant women's knowledge and attitude. In addition, age, antenatal care follow-up, no history of abortion, ever done physical exercise before becoming pregnant, and good knowledge were positively associated with pregnant women's practice of physical exercise during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that approximately half of the participants had good knowledge and a favorable attitude. However, almost one-third of the participants practiced physical exercise during their pregnancy. It is recommended that antenatal care providers advise pregnant women to strengthen their antenatal care follow-up and offer health education and counseling about the benefits of physical exercise during pregnancy.
Source: AJOG Global Reports
Institutions: Dire Dawa University, Wollo University
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,800
OpenAlex ID: W4401540949