Knowledge, attitude, and practice of antenatal exercises among pregnant women in Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Provision of recommended antenatal care services in Ethiopia: missed opportunity for screening and counselling

BACKGROUND

Utilisation of Antenatal care (ANC) in Ethiopia has shown a steady increase in the last two decades, from 27% in 2000 to 74% in 2019. While it is encouraging to see more women attending and receiving ANC, attention to ensuring the quality of the ANC services provided to the visiting women is important. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the provision of recommended ANC services and to identify client related factors associated with the provision of the services.

METHODS

The study was conducted using the 2019 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data. Provision of recommended ANC services was assessed for the EDHS sub-set of 1573 women who had a live birth in the two years preceding the survey and at least one ANC visit. Four components of ANC (i.e. blood pressure measurement, blood and urine test, and counselling on signs of pregnancy complications) were used to measure the provision of recommended ANC services. Bivariable and multivariable analysis was performed to identify client related factors associated with the provision of recommended ANC services. An adjustment was made to account for the complex survey design throughout the analysis (weight, stratification, and clustering).

RESULTS

About one in two women (49.7%; 95% CI: 44.6-55.0) reported receiving the four components of ANC during their pregnancy. Having a higher educational level (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 2.84; 95%CI: 1.15-6.97), being in the middle (aOR = 1.87;95% CI: 1.14-3.06), richer (aOR = 2.56; 95% CI: 1.46-4.49), and richest (aOR = 4.21;95% CI: 1.93-9.21) wealth quintiles, and having two to three (aOR = 5.40;95% CI: 2.00-14.60) and four or more (aOR = 13.45; 95% CI: 4.81-37.58) ANC visits were client related factors associated with the provision of recommended ANC services.

CONCLUSION

Despite the high ANC1 coverage, only one in two women reported receiving the four recommended services. To produce the desired health outcome from ANC utilisation, expanding the coverage should be accompanied by a strong focus on the contents and quality of care. Moreover, regardless of their educational and economic status, all women should receive all components of care as per the recommendations.

Knowledge, attitude, practice, and perceived barriers to antenatal yoga among obstetricians and gynecologists in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional survey

AIM

To examine obstetricians' and gynecologists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antenatal yoga and to explore the factors contributing to their hesitancy in recommending it.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 71 obstetricians and gynecologists in Bangladesh using online and offline modes. Demographic data, professionals' knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers to antenatal yoga were collected. Descriptive statistics and correlation matrix analyses were performed.

RESULTS

83.1 % of respondents recognised the benefits of antenatal yoga; however, only 50 % routinely recommended it to pregnant women. Key barriers identified included a lack of standardised training, insufficient knowledge of antenatal yoga practices, and cultural resistance. Despite these challenges, all participants (100 %) expressed interest in attending antenatal yoga-related workshops and training.

CONCLUSION

While obstetricians and gynecologists in Bangladesh were optimistic about the benefits of antenatal yoga (AY), a lack of standardised guidelines and training, insufficient family support, and cultural factors hinder its widespread recommendation. To enhance the integration of AY into maternal care, this study recommends developing a standardised protocol for AY practices and incorporating specialised training for obstetricians and gynecologists to improve awareness and competency.

Utilization of maternal healthcare services in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Maternal mortality is a critical public health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Maternal healthcare services (MHS), including antenatal care (ANC) visits, skilled birth attendants (SBA), institutional delivery (ID), and postnatal care (PNC), are crucial policy priorities to address maternal mortality and improve pregnancy outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide a comprehensive, quantitative analysis of MHS utilization among women in LMICs.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and SocINDEX to gather relevant studies on the utilization of MHS in LMICs conducted between January 2015 and December 2024. These were then synthesized both quantitatively and qualitatively and random-effect models were employed to obtain pooled estimates.

RESULTS

A total of 145 studies included in this review. Coverage of at least one ANC visit (ANC1), at least four ANC visits (ANC4), SBA, ID and PNC were reported in 66, 108, 42, 63, and 37 studies respectively and for these studies pooled prevalences of ANC1, ANC4, SBA, ID, and PNC were found 85.0% (95% CI 81.2-88.1%), 50.8% (95% CI 46.4-55.2%), 65.6% (95% CI 58.7-71.9%), 66.9% (95% CI 60.3-72.9%), and 48.9% (95% CI 41.7-56.2%), respectively, with high heterogeneity among the studies (I2 > 99.0%). Results obtained from the sub-group analysis revealed that the prevalence of MHS indicators was higher in the South and Southeast Asia (SSEA) region compared to Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), except for ID, e.g., SBA prevalence in SSEA was 70.1% (95% CI 60.4-78.3%) whereas for SSA it was 64.0% (95% CI 53.3-73.6%). The prevalence of all MHS indicators was higher for studies with primary data than those with secondary data, except for ANC4 and PNC. Overall, associations were reported between MHS utilization and women's age, education level, household socioeconomic status, place of residence, decision-making power, and exposure to mass media.

CONCLUSION

High heterogeneity among studies infer possible disparities in MHS utilization at both global and national levels. Hence, it is crucial for policies to prioritize enhancing effective coverage, narrowing disparities, and improving care quality in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42023401745.

What social media analyses can tell us about Ghanaian women's concerns during pregnancy

Introduction

Social media platforms are used by over 4.9 billion people for networking and community building, as well as for healthcare information seeking and decision-making. Most studies investigating the utilization of social media during pregnancy have focused on high-income countries, despite the surge in social media utilization globally. In this study, we analyzed how pregnant women in Ghana, West Africa, utilize Facebook to inform decision-making on their most salient pregnancy concerns.

Methods

We utilized machine learning techniques (Web Scraping and Latent Dirichlet Allocation) to mine and analyze posts from the Ghana-based MidWife Sally Pregnancy School Facebook group between August 16, 2020 and April 29, 2023. Posts were extracted, cleaned, and analyzed using Gensim python library. Topics were generated based on their probabilities and relevance to the study goal.

Results

A total of 3,328 posts were extracted and 3,322 were analyzed after removing 6 empty posts. Seven major topics with listed subtopics were identified: Pregnant (693 posts): personal physiological changes, exercise during pregnancy, medication (e.g., anti-malarials, pain killers) Delivery (367): emergency delivery, vaginal/caesarean birthing, breastmilk production, exercise during pregnancy Pain (350): location of pain and pain relief modalities (e.g., exercise, medication, sleep) Breastfeeding (248): delivery, emergency service, milk production Water (174): cold water consumption, infant feeding (e.g., gripe water, constipation, formula) Sleeping (165): discomfort, sleeping positions, exercise to induce sleep, sleep as a natural analgesic Antenatal (124): fetal growth, progress, hospital selection Of note, content from "Pregnant", "Delivery" and "Sleeping" included mentions of depression, while "Breastfeeding" highlighted cultural approaches to increasing milk production. The sentiment analysis showed that 43.4% of the responses were neutral and primarily focused on seeking information. Negative sentiments, which were more distressing, comprised 46.4% of the responses, while positive sentiments, had a celebratory tone and represented 10.2% of the data.

Conclusion

Social media analysis, previously employed in high income settings, can provide impactful, granular snapshots of pregnant people's concerns in the African region, which could be used to inform social media interventions aimed at filling educational gaps in antenatal care for those without adequate healthcare access.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of Kegel exercise among pregnant women in Abha, Saudi Arabia

Background

Kegel exercise or pelvic floor muscle exercise helps in improving the strength of the pelvic floor muscles and building up their function.

Objective

To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of Kegel exercise among pregnant women in primary health care (PHC) setting in Abha City, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 370 pregnant women. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and P values were used to analyse the data.

Results

Pregnant women with a higher level of education and an income of 5000 to 10000 SAR demonstrated a higher proportion of good practice. The presence of specific chronic diseases, such as psychiatric disorders and diabetes mellitus, was significantly associated with poor practice. Physicians were identified as the primary source of information about Kegel exercises, followed by social media and family/friends.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that education, income level, chronic diseases and the source of information play significant roles in the practice of Kegel exercises among pregnant women. Healthcare providers should provide comprehensive education and ensure equal access to resources for all pregnant women. Tailored support should be provided to women with chronic diseases, and healthcare professionals should actively discuss Kegel exercises during antenatal visits. The study emphasizes the importance of multidimensional approaches to promote the practice of Kegel exercises during pregnancy and enhance pelvic floor health.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Antenatal Exercise among Pregnant Women in Kuala Selangor

Background

Pregnancy is associated with significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes. To adapt to these changes and ensure a healthy pregnancy, lifestyle interventions such as regular antenatal exercise (ANE) are vital. Hence, adequate knowledge of ANE among pregnant women is essential to promote the uptake of ANE. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of ANE, and its associated factors among pregnant women in a suburban district.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 571 pregnant women receiving antenatal care at primary health clinics in Kuala Selangor. Demographic data and maternal characteristics, as well as the KAP and associated factors of ANE, were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of the KAP of ANE were generated. Binary and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine the predictors of ANE among pregnant women.

Results

About half (53.7%) of the study participants reported adequate knowledge while two-thirds (65.5%) had a positive attitude toward exercise. However, only 38.9% displayed a good practice of ANE. KAP of ANE was significantly associated with higher education, pre-pregnancy physical activity, and having received advice on physical activity. Women with positive attitudes were more likely to have good practice of ANE (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.5-3.2).

Conclusion

In short, this study indicated a moderate level of knowledge but a positive attitude towards ANE among pregnant women. Nevertheless, their actual practice of ANE needs to be improved. Future health education campaigns should focus on empowering women about the uptake and conduct of physical activity during pregnancy.

The physical activity and sedentary behavior among pregnant women in Macao: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

The current investigation sought to elucidate the prevalence and contributing factors of sedentary behavior among pregnant women in Macao, a densely populated region characterized by a distinctive fusion of Eastern and Western cultures and a thriving global economy.

METHODS

Through a cross-sectional study design, a total of 306 expectant mothers were recruited via various social media platforms and completed a sociodemographic questionnaire alongside the Chinese version of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The findings revealed that sedentary activities accounted for a relatively small proportion (7.8%) of the participants' total activity energy expenditure. Interestingly, employment status emerged as a significant determinant, with employed pregnant women exhibiting a 57.9% lower risk of being sedentary compared to their unemployed counterparts. Moreover, multiparous women (those with two or more children) were approximately 9 times more likely to meet moderate-intensity activity standards than nulliparous women.

CONCLUSION

These insights highlight the importance of tailoring physical activity interventions to address the specific needs and challenges faced by primiparous women and those who are unemployed during pregnancy, with a view to enhancing education on the potential hazards associated with sedentary habits and promoting active lifestyles within this unique sociocultural context.

Evaluation of the mediating role of physical activity self-efficacy in the relationship between knowledge, social support, and physical activity in pregnant women with a high risk for gestational diabetes

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the associations between knowledge, social support, and physical activity and explore the mediating role of physical activity self-efficacy in pregnant women with a high risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangzhou, China, from July 2022 to May 2023. Five hundred thirty-seven pregnant women with a high risk for GDM completed the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire, Pregnancy Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale, Pregnancy Physical Activity Knowledge Scale, Physical Activity Social Support Scale, and a socio-demographic data sheet. The mediation effect was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) and the bootstrap method.

RESULTS

42.5% of pregnant women did not meet the current physical activity guidelines. Physical activity self-efficacy (β, 0.16; P<0.001), knowledge (β, 0.15; P = 0.001), social support (β, 0.10; P = 0.019), education, and type of conception were predictors of physical activity. The SEM results found that physical activity self-efficacy mediated the association between physical activity and knowledge (β, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.32) and social support (β, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.39). The data fit of the model (RMSEA = 0.067, CFI = 0.851, TLI = 0.828, χ2/df = 3.440) was acceptable.

CONCLUSION

This study found that the prevalence of being physically inactive was high in pregnant women with a high risk for GDM. The present study's findings suggested that healthcare providers should try to enhance physical activity self-efficacy, knowledge, and social support of pregnant women with a high risk for GDM to improve their physical activity with a focus on physical activity self-efficacy.

Barriers, attitudes and perceptions to physical activity among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria and the associated factors: a mixed method study

BACKGROUND

Physical activity has several health benefits during pregnancy. However, it remains low among pregnant women because of various barriers. This study assessed the attitude, perception, barriers to physical activity during pregnancy and the associated factors.

METHOD

We conducted a cross-sectional study using a sequential explanatory mixed method among 465 pregnant women attending antenatal care from four healthcare facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data was collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire, and we conducted four focus group discussions. Using the Barriers to Physical Activity during Pregnancy Scale questionnaire, we assessed the barriers based on the socioecological theory. The explanatory variables included sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric factors, past obstetric history and physical activity-related issues. Data were analysed using univariate and bivariate methods (independent T-tests and ANOVA), and multiple linear regression was at 5% significance. We applied thematic content analysis to qualitative data.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 29.22 + 5.01 years. The mean ± SD of the total physical activity barrier score (PABS) was 85.35 ± 22.82. The PABS for the subscales were intrapersonal barriers (34.46 ± 8.79), non-pregnancy intrapersonal barriers (14.47 ± 5.67), and interpersonal barriers (11.67 ± 4.25), environmental, political and organisational barriers (24.766 ± 8.82). The significant relationships between the total score of physical activity barriers and religion (p < 0.030), education (p < 0.000), complaints in pregnancy (p < 0.043), antenatal admission in the hospital (p < 0.004), physical activity advice (p < 0.018), pre-pregnancy physical activity (p < 0.000). Factors associated with physical activity barrier score were maternal education: adjusted β: - 15.26, 95% CI: - 27.83; - 2.69; p = 0.017, antenatal admission adjusted β: 12.20, 95% CI 3.74; 20.67, p = 0.005 pre-pregnancy physical activity: adjusted β: - 12.27, 95% CI - 1.6.5; - 7.99, p = 0.001. Significant themes that emerged in the perception of pregnant women towards physical activity are understanding physical activity, personal experience of physical activity, barriers experienced by pregnant women, the role of support, perceived benefits, and information from health care workers.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Ibadan, Nigeria, face various barriers to physical activity during pregnancy. Using the socioecological framework, the most commonly reported barriers by our respondents were intrapersonal and environmental barriers. Sociodemographic characteristics, pre-pregnancy physical activity, and antenatal admission were significant factors associated with the total barrier scores of respondents. Healthcare professionals should be trained in promoting physical activity during pregnancy. Tailored interventions are necessary to promote physical activity among pregnant women in Nigeria, including the training of health workers.

Pregnant women's knowledge, attitude, and practice toward physical exercise during pregnancy and its associated factors at Dessie town health institutions, Ethiopia

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

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 614 pregnant women receiving antenatal care between January 18, 2023, and February 25, 2023. The study participants were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested, face-to-face interviewer-administered, and semistructured questionnaire. The data were cleaned, coded, and entered into EpiData (version 4.6; www.epidata.dk) and analyzed using SPSS (version 25; SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice toward physical exercise during pregnancy. Variables with a P value of <.2 in the bivariate analysis were transferred to the multivariate analysis. Finally, the adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval with a P 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.

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude of Antenatal Mothers Regarding Physical Activity During Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Puducherry, India

INTRODUCTION

A woman's body experiences numerous physiological and psychological changes throughout pregnancy in order to accommodate the expanding requirements of the growing fetus. These changes can lead to various pregnancy-related health issues like gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia. Women who regularly engage in physical activity during pregnancy have a reduced risk of developing those health problems. Pregnant women should have adequate knowledge and a good attitude towards physical activity during pregnancy, which is an essential precursor for practising exercise. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of antenatal mothers regarding physical activity during pregnancy at a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry.

METHOD

A cross-sectional analytical study design was performed to collect data from 380 antenatal mothers. A convenient sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A structured, validated, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from pregnant women attending the antenatal outpatient department of Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER). Data were coded and analysed by IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 19.0 (Released 2010; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States).

RESULTS

This study revealed that almost half of the antenatal mothers (n=195, 51.3%) had adequate knowledge whereas 185 (48.7%) had inadequate knowledge regarding physical activity during pregnancy. Regarding their attitude, most of the antenatal mothers (n=303, 79.7%) had a favourable attitude and 77 (20.3%) had an unfavourable attitude towards physical activity during pregnancy. It was found that there is a significant association between education, employment, pre-pregnancy physical activity status, co-morbidities, and BMI of the antenatal mothers and their level of knowledge (p < 0.05). Also, educational status, employment status, level of activity in day-to-day life, pre-pregnancy physical activity status, co-morbidities, and number of antenatal visits attended by the antenatal mothers were significantly associated with their level of attitude (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The level of knowledge regarding physical activity during pregnancy was adequate among antenatal mothers and their attitude seems to be favorable. This does not mean that they are exercising effectively. Therefore, health professionals should put forth their effort to bring about behavioural change among pregnant women towards exercise by conducting counselling sessions, and antenatal exercise classes during their antenatal care visits in order to empower pregnant women to lead a healthy pregnancy.

Level of optimal antenatal care utilization and its associated factors among pregnant women in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia: new WHO-recommended ANC 8+ model

Background

To fully realize the life-saving and health-promoting benefits of antenatal care (ANC), the latest World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations call for pregnant women to have at least eight contacts with skilled healthcare providers. This increased number of recommended ANC visits represents a shift toward a more comprehensive, individualized approach to prenatal care. The focus is on health promotion, disease prevention, and the early detection and management of complications during pregnancy. However, in sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia, the coverage rate for this level of recommended antenatal care is only 58%. Given this relatively low utilization, identifying the key risk factors that prevent adequate antenatal care would have significant implications for increasing overall ANC uptake in these regions.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to assess the level of optimal antenatal care utilization and its associated factors among pregnant women in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia in 2023 using the new WHO-recommended ANC 8+ model.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 416 mothers who were enrolled between 1 December 2022 and 30 January 2023. The total sample size was allocated proportionately to the number of women who delivered at each public health facility. Thus, systematic sampling was applied. Kobo Toolbox was used for data collection and cleaning, which was then analyzed using SPSS Version 26. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value <0.05.

Results

In this study, the level of optimal antenatal care was 41% [95% confidence interval (CI): 37-45.3]. The associated factors with optimal antenatal care were the presence of pregnancy danger signs [adjusted odds ratios (AOR) = 4.1, 95% CI: 1.87-8.82], having bad obstetric history (AOR = 3.90, 95% CI: 1.94-7.83), antenatal contact at hospital (AOR = 5.11, 95% CI: 2.28-11.21), having good knowledge about antenatal care (AOR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.15-4.44), women's high decision-making power (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI: 1.2-7.63), and male partner involvement (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.04-3.78) were positively associated with optimal antenatal care utilization.

Conclusion

The level of optimal antenatal follow-up is still low. Therefore, it is crucial to provide more information during the antenatal contacts to lower the rate of women discontinued from antenatal care.

Attitude and concerns on antenatal pelvic floor exercises among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria

Aim

Several studies had investigated the importance and benefit of pelvic floor exercises (PFEs) to the pregnant women and their unborn babies, however, the concerns of antenatal women on the exercise have been sparsely investigated. This study examined the attitude and concerns of pregnant women towards engaging in PFEs in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods

This was cross-sectional study of pregnant women aged ≥15 years. Participants were recruited at primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities. A face-to-face interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire with open and close-ended questions for data collection. Bivariate analysis was performed using chi-square and Fisher's exact test to investigate the association between categorical variables. Multivariate analysis was performed with log-binomial and multinomial regressions to select significant variables that affect the attitude of pregnant women.

Results

Of the 373 pregnant women recruited, 118 had ever practiced PFEs. A little below average (43%) performed PFE for less than 3 days a week. Ability to have easy childbirth was the most common motivator for practicing PFE. Participants were most concerned about abdominal pain. No association between any of the factors and participants' attitudes.

Conclusion

Though there was a positive attitude of pregnant women towards the PFE but the practice was low. This might be due to inadequate availability of information. We recommend health promotional messages to encourage pregnant women to engage in PFE as part of antenatal messages for healthy living.

Assisted reproductive technology and physical activity among Chinese pregnant women at high risk for gestational diabetes mellitus in early pregnancy: A cross-sectional study

Currently, the number of pregnant women at high risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and using assisted reproductive technology (ART) is increasing. The present study aims to explore the relationship between ART and physical activity in Chinese pregnant women at high risk for GDM in early pregnancy. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a regional teaching hospital in Guangzhou, China, between July 2022 and March 2023. Three hundred fifty-five pregnant women at high risk for GDM in early pregnancy completed the Chinese version of the Pregnant Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ), the Pregnancy Physical Activity Knowledge Scale, the Pregnancy Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale, the Pregnancy Physical Activity Social Support Scale, and a sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics data sheet. Compared to women who conceived naturally, women who used ART were more likely to be 35 years or older, unemployed, primigravidae, and to have intentionally planned their pregnancies. Women who used ART had significantly lower levels of physical activity and self-efficacy compared to their counterparts who conceived naturally. Over half (55.6%) of women who used ART reported being physically inactive, and those with lower self-efficacy, as well as the unemployed, were significantly more likely to be inactive. Physical inactivity is a critical clinical issue among women who use ART, especially in the context of GDM risk. Future research should develop and test physical activity programs, including enhancing physical activity self-efficacy for women who use ART. Patient or public contribution: In this study, survey questionnaires were completed by participants among Chinese pregnant women at high risk for GDM in early pregnancy.

Pregnant Women's Knowledge, Attitudes, and Associated Factors Toward Physical Exercise During Pregnancy in Al-Ahsa City, KSA

Introduction This research study aims to explore the understanding and perspective of pregnant women in Al-Ahsa regarding physical exercise during their pregnancy. Presently, there exists a deficiency in knowledge concerning the advantages of exercise for the well-being of both the expectant mother and the developing fetus within this area. The study endeavors to enlighten and empower pregnant women about the appropriate types and levels of exercise suitable for their individual physical activity during pregnancy, with the ultimate aim of attaining noteworthy health benefits. The proposed solution entails offering comprehensive education and guidance on the advantages and techniques of exercising during pregnancy. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study carried out in the city of Al-Al-Ahsa, located in Saudi Arabia. The data was collected through an online questionnaire. Subsequently, the collected data underwent a series of essential steps, including coding, thorough checking, and entry into an Excel spreadsheet. The final stage involved analyzing the data using the widely used statistical software SPSS. Results In this research conducted in Al-Ahsa City, the findings were based on a sample of 306 Saudi nationals. Several of the participants were aged over 45 (33.7%), married (81.4%), and had completed their college education (79.7%). In terms of their beliefs, the participants had an average score of 3.51 out of 7. Their level of awareness scored 5.13 out of 8, while their knowledge level scored 3.52 out of 5. A significant number of participants (68.3%) agreed on the importance of exercise during pregnancy, and a considerable percentage (72.9%) believed that any pregnant woman could exercise without seeking healthcare advice. When it came to accessing information about antenatal exercise, digital platforms, especially social media, were the primary source for the participants (63.4%). The most commonly practiced exercise type was walking (77.1%), and the main barriers reported were fatigue (64.4%) and time constraints (34.3%). Age was found to have a notable association with beliefs, awareness, and knowledge scores, while marital status and functional status showed marginal, insignificant associations. Conclusion This research underscores the significance of fostering optimistic beliefs, improving awareness, and addressing knowledge deficiencies through focused educational interventions. It emphasizes the crucial roles that healthcare professionals and digital platforms assume in spreading reliable information and assisting expectant mothers in making well-informed choices regarding their exercise routines. It is essential for future studies to investigate the efficacy of customized interventions and encompass diverse populations, thus deepening our comprehension of antenatal exercise behaviors and the factors that influence them.

Predictors of physical inactivity among pregnant women

It is recommended that pregnant women be physically active to promote maternal and child health. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of physical inactivity and its modifiable predictors in the three trimesters in Chinese pregnant women. Four hundred forty-four pregnant women completed the Pregnant Physical Activity Questionnaire in the first, second, and third trimesters. The prevalence of physical inactivity reached its highest (66.2%) in the first trimester and lowest (19.4%) in the second trimester. Pregnant women with inadequate physical activity knowledge and low self-efficacy were at higher risk for physical inactivity. Monitoring physical inactivity could be incorporated into antenatal care and start from the first trimester. Prenatal care professionals should take action to increase pregnant women's physical activity self-efficacy and knowledge to enhance their physical activity.

Determination of exercise attitudes of women of reproductive age in pregnancy

Objective

This study was conducted to evaluate the exercise attitudes of women of reproductive age during pregnancy.

Method

The descriptive study was conducted with 326 women who applied to the gynecology outpatient clinics of a state hospital between September and November 2023. Data were collected with the "Personal Information Form" and "Exercise Attitudes in Pregnant Women Scale". Statistical analyses were analyzed at p < .05 significance level with the independent samples t test method.

Results

Most of the participants (85.6%) stated that they did not know the benefits of exercise during pregnancy and did not exercise during pregnancy (89.6%). The mean exercise attitude scale score of the participants was 135.42 ± 25.90. A significant difference was found between the participants' education level, exercising outside pregnancy, attending a pregnancy school, knowing the benefits of exercise during pregnancy and exercising during pregnancy and all sub-dimension scores (p < .05).

Conclusion

In the study, it was observed that the participants had positive attitudes towards exercise during pregnancy, although their knowledge and behaviors were insufficient. Women's attitudes towards exercise should be determined by health professionals and women's positive attitudes, knowledge and behaviors should be improved by organizing trainings and exercise programs starting from pre-pregnancy.

Evaluation of pregnant women's knowledge and attitude toward physical exercise during pregnancy at maternity hospitals

BACKGROUND

There are major health benefits to physical exercise during pregnancy for mothers and newborns. However, physical inactivity during pregnancy varies worldwide, but it is more common during the third trimester of pregnancy. A positive attitude toward antenatal exercise can reduce physical inactivity.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate pregnant women's knowledge and attitude toward physical exercise during pregnancy and to find out the relationship between pregnant women's knowledge and attitude.

METHODS

This is a descriptive study utilizing a non-probability purposive sample of 200 women. The data were collected by distributing a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised 37 questions for knowledge and 15 questions for attitude. This study was conducted from October 2021 to November 2022.

RESULTS

The higher percentage of women's age was 20-24 years, and 30% graduated from primary school. Nearly two-thirds of them were in the second trimester. More than one-third of them have two to three living children. Nearly two-thirds of women have poor knowledge levels about physical exercise during pregnancy, but most of them have a positive attitude. There is a significant relationship between pregnant women's knowledge and attitude.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that most of the study sample had poor knowledge regarding physical exercise during pregnancy. However, they have a positive attitude toward physical exercise during pregnancy.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of patients with major depressive disorder on exercise therapy

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward exercise therapy of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University between April and October 2023 in patients with MDD. A self-designed questionnaire was used to evaluate the KAP (Cronbach's α = 0.787). The minimum-maximum scores were 2-23 for knowledge, 11-55 for attitude, and 7-35 for practice.

RESULTS

A total of 494 valid questionnaires were analyzed. The mean KAP dimension scores were 15.39 ± 3.34/23 (66.91%), 36.54 ± 19.33/55 (66.44%), and 19.33 ± 5.22/35 (55.23%), indicating poor knowledge, negative attitude, and weak practice. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that female (OR = 0.613, 95%CI: 0.376-1.000, P = 0.050), urban residence (OR = 0.443, 95%CI: 0.259-0.758, P = 0.003), suburban residence (OR = 0.047, 95%CI: 0.016-0.138, P < 0.001), higher income (OR = 3.889-7.928, all P < 0.001), and unclear self-reported depression level (OR = 0.078, 95%CI: 0.027-0.221, P < 0.001) were independently associated with the knowledge scores. Knowledge scores (OR = 1.102, 95%CI: 1.022-1.188, P = 0.011), female gender (OR = 0.437, 95%CI: 0.246-0.776, P = 0.005), city (OR = 0.410, 95%CI: 0.226-0.744, P = 0.003), married (OR = 3.577, 95%CI: 1.751-7.650, P < 0.001), higher income (OR = 0.065-0.392, both P < 0.050), depressive trend (OR = 2.640, 95%CI: 1.110-6.278, P = 0.028), high depression score level (OR = 0.176, 95%CI: 0.104-0.300, P < 0.001), and unclear self-reported depression score (OR = 0.023, 95%CI: 0.007-0.076, P < 0.001) were independently associated with the attitude scores. Finally, knowledge scores (OR = 1.130, 95%CI: 1.051-1.215, P = 0.001), attitude scores (OR = 1.199, 95%CI: 1.124-1.280, P < 0.001), and city (OR = 0.583, 95%CI: 0.352-0.965, P = 0.036) were independently associated with the practice scores. The structural equation modeling analysis showed that knowledge, but not attitude (β = 0.103, P = 0.092) or practice (β = 0.034, P = 0.603), influenced the depression level (β=-0.074, P < 0.001); attitude influenced practice (β = 0.369, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The KAP toward exercise among MDD patients is poor in Shanxi. Females, people living in urban or suburban areas, with lower income, and self-reported unclear depression levels should be targeted by education interventions.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards antenatal physical exercise among pregnant women in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Physical activity and exercise during pregnancy have paramount importance for both the mother and fetus. Regardless of the benefits of exercise during pregnancy, significant proportion of women usually opt sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to synthesis evidences on knowledge, attitude, and practice towards antenatal physical exercise among pregnant women in Ethiopia.

METHODS

The systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on knowledge, attitude, practice, and associated factors towards antenatal physical exercise among pregnant women in Ethiopia. The systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was registered on PROSPERO website with registration number CRD42023444723. Articles were searched on international databases using medical subject heading and keywords. After ensuring eligibility, data were extracted using Microsoft excel and imported to STATA 17 for analysis. Cochran Q test and I2 statistics were used to check presence of heterogeneity. Weighted Inverse variance random effect model was used to estimate the pooled level of knowledge, attitude, and practice on antenatal physical exercise among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Funnel plot and egger's test were used to check presence of publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of adequate knowledge, favorable attitude and good practice towards antenatal physical exercise were 46.04% with 95% CI (44.45%-47.63%), 43.71%, 95% CI (41.95%-45.46%) and 34.06, 95% CI (20.04%-48.08%) respectively. Good knowledge AOR 2.38 95% CI(1.80-3.14), unfavorable attitude AOR 0.43 95% CI (0.32-0.58), having no pre-pregnancy habit of physical exercise AOR 0.44 95 CI (0.24-0.79) and having diploma or above education status AOR 3.39 95% CI (1.92-5.98) were significantly associated with practice of antenatal physical exercise.

CONCLUSION

The level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards antenatal physical exercise among pregnant women was far below the recommended level in Ethiopia. Knowledge, attitude, education status and pre-pregnancy habit of physical exercise were significantly associated factors with antenatal physical exercise practice. It is highly essential to disseminate health information on the benefits of antenatal physical exercise for all pregnant women during antenatal care contacts.

Redefining Maternal Wellness: The Role of Antenatal Exercises in Musculoskeletal Issues Among Primigravida Mothers

During pregnancy, there are notable alterations in biomechanics, hormones, and vascular functioning, which frequently result in a range of musculoskeletal ailments, including back pain, leg cramps, and pelvic girdle discomfort. The significance of pregnancy-related musculoskeletal problems on women's daily functioning and general well-being is highlighted by their widespread occurrence worldwide, necessitating heightened focus and implementation of effective therapeutic approaches. The main aims of this study were to assess the effectiveness of prenatal exercises in musculoskeletal discomfort and investigate the association between post-intervention levels of discomfort and certain demographic factors. A quantitative technique was used in this study, utilizing a pre-experimental design conducted for three months. A total of 60 primigravida mothers were selected as participants through purposive sampling. The study was conducted in a Maternity Tertiary Care Center located in Tamil Nadu. The intervention encompassed the provision of antenatal exercises, specifically focusing on abdominal tightness, pelvic tilting, and foot and ankle movements. The researcher demonstrated the exercises for 20 minutes, and afterward, mothers were asked to perform the activities themselves. The process was monitored and observed for two weeks. The findings were statistically significant, suggesting a noteworthy decrease in musculoskeletal disorders following the implementation of the intervention. The statistical analysis revealed a significant degree of significance (P = 0.001), confirming the efficacy of the exercises. Before the implementation of the intervention, a significant proportion of mothers, namely, 45 (75%) reported experiencing moderate back pain. However, following the intervention, this percentage notably fell to 33.34% (20). The incidence of moderate pelvic pain decreased from 80% (48) to 30% (18), and a comparable pattern was observed in the reduction of leg cramps. Additionally, the research identified significant associations between the improvements and a range of demographic and obstetric factors, including the level of education, occupation, family structure, age at marriage, and weight of the mother. The results highlight the significance of incorporating antenatal exercises as a regular component of prenatal care to minimize musculoskeletal discomfort, hence promoting the overall health and well-being of expectant mothers.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of physical exercises among pregnant women attending prenatal care clinics of public health institutions in Hawassa city, Sidama, Ethiopia, in 2021: descriptive cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Participating in physical exercise enhances the physical and mental health of pregnant women. Preventing excessive weight gain, decreasing gestational hypertension, reducing back pain and labor complications are some of the main benefits of physical exercise during pregnancy and childbirth. Scrutinizing factors associated with sedentary life style among women during pregnancy could aid to design effective strategies to tackle the problem. Despite its benefit, little is explored about knowledge, attitude and practice of physical exercise among pregnant women in the study setting.

OBJECTIVE

To assess prevalence of knowledge, attitude and practice of physical exercise among pregnant women who visit antenatal care at public health facilities of Hawassa town, Ethiopia, in 2023.

METHODS

Facility based survey was conducted from November-December, in 2021. Data were collected using interview administered and structured questionnaire. Data were cleaned, coded and entered using Epi-data 4.6 and exported into SPSS 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics was done using frequency count, percentage and mean values of variables. Finally, findings are presented using text, tables and charts.

RESULTS

All of the study subjects completed interview making a response rate of 100% in this study. The mean adequate knowledge score was 42.2%. Positive attitude towards physical exercise during pregnancy was accounted as 63.7% and proportion of good practice of physical exercise was as 35.8%. Regarding practice of exercise, most (95.9%) of the subjects walk, however; only 11(8.9%) women perform pelvic floor exercise were the highest and least practiced physical exercise. Concerning knowledge of exercise, prevent excess weight 72.1% and increasing energy 53.2% were the commonly known benefits of physical exercise. Breathing difficulty (41.3%), chest pain (39.8%) and premature labor (34.0%) were the predominant perceptions of contra-indication of physical exercise during pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the proportion of knowledge, attitude and practice of antenatal exercise is found to be sub-optimum in the study area. Therefore, health education should be enhanced about the benefit of physical exercise during pregnancy.

Do pregnant African women exercise? A meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Antenatal exercise can reduce gestational weight gain, backache; pregnancy induced medical disorders, caesarean section rates, and improves pregnancy outcomes. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends prenatal exercise, which is associated with minimal risk and has been shown to be beneficial for pregnancy outcomes, although some exercise routines may need to be modified. Consequently, this meta-analysis is intended to verify the pooled practice of antenatal exercise in Africa using available primary articles.

METHODS

Genuine search of the research articles was done via PubMed, Scopes, Cochrane library, the Web of Science; free Google databases search engines, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases. Published and unpublished articles were searched and screened for inclusion in the final analysis and Studies without sound methodologies, and review and meta-analysis were not included in this analysis. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the risk of bias. If heterogeneity exceeded 40%, the random effect method was used; otherwise, the fixed-effect method was used. Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA version 14.0 software. Publication bias was checked by funnel plot and Egger test.

RESULTS

This review analyzed data from 2880 women on antenatal care contact from different primary studies. The overall pooled effect estimate of antenatal exercise in Africa was 34.50(32.63-36.37). In the subgroup analysis for pooled antenatal exercise practice by country, it was 34.24 (31.41-37.08) in Ethiopia and 37.64(34.63-40.65) in Nigeria.

CONCLUSION

The overall pooled effect estimate of antenatal exercise in Africa was low compared to other continent. As it was recommended by ACOG antenatal exercise to every patient in the absence of contraindications, it should be encouraged by professionals providing antenatal care service.

UAE Women's Knowledge and Attitudes towards Physical Activity during Pregnancy

The benefits of being physically active during pregnancy are widely acknowledged. It is important for the prevention of chronic diseases and the promotion of good health for mothers and children. However, physical activity by women in the UAE is notoriously low and reduced further during pregnancy. The same can be said regarding research about the knowledge and understanding of the benefits and risks associated with exercise as a predictor of behavior. We aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes towards physical activity during pregnancy amongst Emirati women. A cross-sectional digital survey was designed to assess knowledge and attitudes and distributed to women, aged 18-40 years, using non-randomized, purposeful snowball sampling. A total of 1538 women were recruited. Most participants were aged 20-29 years (53.5%), were Emiratis (88.9%), and had no history of chronic disease (68.6%). The participants self-reported very low levels of PA (75.5%) and had a below-average level of knowledge overall (40.6 ± 20). Younger ages (p < 0.001), lower educational levels (p = 0.004), being employed (p = 0.014), and having a history of chronic disease (p = 0.016) were significantly associated with lower mean knowledge scores, while being married (p = 0.003) was significantly associated with higher scores. The participants also exhibited a positive attitude towards physical activity during pregnancy by selecting answers that they supported it. To encourage physical activity, women living in the UAE could benefit from clear advice about safe physical activity during pregnancy.

Antenatal physical exercise level and its associated factors among pregnant women in Hawassa city, Sidama Region, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Antenatal physical exercise has roles in health maintenance, prevention, and treatment of disease for pregnant women and fetuses. Different organizations and medical institutions prescribe regular physical exercise during the antenatal period. Despite this, the pregnant populations are less active and decrease their exercise levels during pregnancy than in their non-pregnant state. Therefore, this study aimed to assess antenatal physical exercise level and its associated factors among pregnant women in Hawassa city, Sidama regional state, Ethiopia.

METHODS

Institutional based cross-sectional study design was employed, and 600 study participants were interviewed using a systematic sampling technique from 25th September/2021 to 25th November/2021. Data entry was made using Epi-Data software version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. A bivariate logistic regression assessed the association between each independent variable and the outcome variable. Explanatory variables with a p-value of less than 0.25 were a candidate for the multivariable logistic regression. Finally, variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 were declared as statistically significant and reported with their AOR and 95% CI.

RESULT

In this study, 25.5% of pregnant women had an adequate practice of antenatal physical exercise while 43.7% of pregnant women had an adequate level of knowledge on antenatal physical exercise An adequate practice of women's antenatal exercise is more likely to occur in women who are exposed to mass media (AOR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.57, 3.78), Husband college and above educational level (AOR 1.57, 95% CI: 1.05, 6.12), having an adequate level of knowledge (AOR 2.12, 95% CI: 1.13, 3.37), and have of supporting facility (AOR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.49, 3.51).

CONCLUSION

In this study, three fourth of the study participants had an inadequate level of practice in antenatal physical exercise than the global standard. It shall be beneficial if the city health administration works towards improving pregnant women's knowledge and practice level on physical exercise by providing information using different media outlets. Healthcare providers should broadcast antenatal physical exercise prescriptions in integration with health-related programs.

Pelvic Floor Disorders and Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise: A Survey on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among Pregnant Women in Northwest Ethiopia

The purpose of the study was to investigate 1: overall knowledge of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI) as well as knowledge, attitudes, and practice of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME); and 2: the association of these factors with parity in pregnant women in Gondar, Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was performed in the Central Gondar zone, northwest Ethiopia between February and April 2021. The associations between parity and knowledge of POP and UI, and knowledge, attitude, and practice towards PFME were estimated using logistics regression models and presented as crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Nulliparous women were used as the reference. Adjustments were made for maternal age, antenatal care visits, and level of education. The study sample comprised 502 pregnant women: 133 nulliparous, and 369 multiparous. We found no association between parity and knowledge of POP, UI, or knowledge, attitude, and practice toward PFME. The sum score indicated poor knowledge about both POP, UI, and PFME in the study population, and poor attitude and practice of PFME. Despite a high attendance in antenatal care services, knowledge, attitude, and practice were poor, indicating a need for quality improvement of the services.

Exploring Antenatal Exercise: Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Influencing Factors among Pregnant Women in Libya

Background

Antenatal exercise is crucial in promoting pregnant women's health and well-being. However, no research in Libya examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of antenatal exercise among pregnant women.

Methods

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antenatal exercise among pregnant women in Libya. A convenience sample of pregnant women (n = 205) receiving prenatal care at Misrata Medical Center and having no contraindication for exercise participated in the study. A self-administered, previously elaborated questionnaire was used to assess participants' awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and practice of antenatal exercise. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis were employed using SPSS version 28.

Results

The findings revealed that nearly half of the participants demonstrated good knowledge (56.1%) and a positive attitude (47.8%) regarding antenatal exercise. Less than one-third (30.2%) of participants engaged in some form of exercise during pregnancy. The logistic regression results showed that age, income, and practice of exercise before pregnancy significantly contributed to the knowledge score. The analysis indicated that the unemployment status (AOR = 2.42, 95% CI [0.78-6.38], P = .03) and practicing exercise before pregnancy (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI [0.92-4.24], P = .02) were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in antenatal exercise. The main subjective reasons for pregnant women not engaging in antenatal exercise were lack of time, poor knowledge, fatigue, and worries about harming the baby.

Conclusion

This study sheds light on the current state of antenatal exercise among pregnant women in Libya and highlights the factors shaping these behaviors. The findings underscore the importance of promoting accurate knowledge, addressing misconceptions, and providing support and resources to overcome barriers and encourage safe and effective antenatal exercise practices in Libya. Future studies should consider employing qualitative or mixed methods research designs to examine antenatal exercise from different perspectives.

Exercise During Pregnancy: Knowledge and Beliefs Among Females in Saudi Arabia

Background Exercise during pregnancy helps to promote health benefits for both the mother and fetus. One of the concerns among Saudi pregnant women is physical inactivity. The objective of this study was to assess females' knowledge, beliefs, and practices toward exercise during pregnancy in Saudi Arabia. Also, we investigated the most common barriers to exercising during pregnancy. Methods The study was a cross-sectional study that included all Saudi females aged 18 years and above and excluded non-Saudi females and those aged less than 18 years. A self-administered survey was distributed on social media platforms. The collected data were coded and analyzed using SPSS version 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results A total of 1207 participants were enrolled in the study. In regards to general knowledge and awareness levels, 1002 (83%) participants had a high level of knowledge and awareness, and 205 (17%) had a low level of knowledge and awareness. Exercise during pregnancy is essential was agreed on by 853 (70.7%) participants. The most reported sources of information on prenatal exercise were found to be websites, as reported by 56.7% of the participants. About 42.4% of the participants were sometimes exercising during pregnancy. The most common type of antenatal exercise was found to be walking, as mentioned by 83.5% of the participants. The most commonly reported barrier to practicing antenatal exercises was found to be fatigue, as reported by 53.9% of the participants, and lack of time. Age was found to be significantly associated with the level of beliefs, awareness, and knowledge regarding antenatal care. A statistically significant association was found between marital status and level of beliefs, awareness, and knowledge regarding antenatal care with married participants tending to be having a higher level of knowledge and awareness compared to other groups. Occupation and level of beliefs, awareness, and knowledge regarding antenatal care were found to be significantly associated. Conclusion We found good general knowledge and awareness levels regarding exercise during pregnancy. Beliefs toward exercise during pregnancy were below average. Future studies on how to promote regular exercise during pregnancy are recommended.

Validity and reliability of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding exercise and exergames experiences questionnaire among high school students

An instrument to measure the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) related to exercise and exergames experiences among high school students is important to identify the KAP gap that may facilitate the health intervention to boost the immunity of the young population. Thus, our study aims to develop and validate a questionnaire assessing KAP regarding exercise and exergames experiences among high school students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 188 high school students in Malaysia. This research questionnaire was adapted from a previous study and modified with an additional section to assess high school students’ exergames experiences. Content validity, construct validity, and reliability was verified using different tests. Only one item (slimming tea and other drugs could be used in place of exercise to achieve the same effects) did not reach the required level of content validity index in terms of their relevance, clarity, simplicity, and ambiguity. Therefore, this item was removed from the instrument. For factor analysis, three questions were removed from the instrument due to those questions having a factor loading lower than 0.4. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient values for the test–retest reliability after an interval of two weeks for all questions were > 0.7. Kappa coefficient ranges between 0.67-0.96. The SME value ranged from 0.34 to 1.47. Repeated measured ANOVA did not reveal any significant differences between the test and re-test. This questionnaire has strong validity and reliability that can be used to measure high school student’s knowledge, attitude, and practice about exercise and their exergames experiences. 

Pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes, and associated factors toward physical exercise during pregnancy among those attending antenatal care at Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia

Background:

Exercise during pregnancy is among the cost-effective options that can significantly reduce the burden of chronic metabolic diseases leading to an adverse birth outcome. Despite the negative consequences of sedentary life among pregnant women, little is known about the pregnant mothers’ knowledge, attitude, and associated factors toward exercise during pregnancy in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area.

Objective:

To assess knowledge, attitude, and associated factors toward exercise during pregnancy among women attending antenatal care at Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020.

Methodology:

A health facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 475 pregnant women from March 12 to May 12, 2020. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data from pregnant women attending the antenatal care unit. Data were coded and entered using Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify possible determinants and an odds ratio was used to measure the strength of associations at a p-value of <0.05

Result:

The study showed that 55.8% (95% CI: 48.45–59.12) of pregnant women were knowledgeable about benefits and contraindication of exercise during pregnancy; 53.3% (95% CI: 49.05–57.62) of them had positive attitudes toward exercise during pregnancy. Educational status adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 3.95 (95% CI: 1.712–9.108), practicing physical exercise before becoming pregnant AOR = 3.64 (95% CI: 1.091–12.118), and women who heard about exercise during pregnancy AOR = 4.74 (95% CI: 2.563–8.756) were found to have statistically significant association with knowledge of women about exercise during pregnancy. Women who were knowledgeable about exercise during pregnancy AOR = 4.45 (95% CI: 2.39–8.29) and women who heard about exercise during pregnancy AOR = 4.2 (95% CI: 2.19–8.08) were more likely to have a positive attitude toward benefits of exercise during pregnancy.

Conclusion:

The level of mothers’ knowledge and attitude toward exercise during pregnancy in the study area was low. Educational status, physical exercise before pregnancy, ever heard about exercise during pregnancy were independent determinants of women’s knowledge, while ever heard and knowledgeable about exercise during pregnancy were determinants of favorable attitude toward exercise during pregnancy. Empowering women through health education about physical exercise during pregnancy should get due attention.

Pregnancy Activity Levels and Impediments in the Era of COVID-19 Based on the Health Belief Model: A Cross-Sectional Study

Physical activity (PA) and exercise benefit both the mother and the fetus. Many pregnant women avoid or severely limit PA, leading to complications before and after delivery. This study elucidated the precise effect of each moderator variable on prenatal physical activity (PPA) by examining demographic factors, the PPA-related health belief level (HBL), and the current PPA level. The health belief model (HBM) in conjunction with the international prenatal physical activity questionnaire was used. The HBL in pregnant parous women (PPW) (3.42) was significantly higher than that in nonpregnant nulliparous women (NNW) (3.06). The PPA level in pregnant nulliparous women (PNW) (5.67 metabolic equivalent-hours per week (MET-h/week)) was lower than in the PPW (6.01 MET-h/week). All HBM dimensions (except for perceived barriers) were positively correlated with exercise expenditure in both PNW and PPW. According to the regression tree, participants in PNW aged ≤ 23 years with annual household incomes > CNY 100,001−150,000 had the highest energy expenditure (10.75 MET-h/week), whereas participants in PPW with a perceived benefit score of >4 had the highest energy expenditure (10 MET-h/week). The results demonstrated that the HBL in all groups was acceptable, whereas the PPA level was lower than the recommended PA level. In both PPW and PNW, the HBL was most strongly correlated with exercise expenditure. There is an urgent need to organize public-interest courses to alleviate household expenditure, raise the HBL about PPA in pregnant and NNW, and ensure personal health in the context of COVID-19.

Factors associated with antenatal exercise in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

Background

Many health risks in pregnant women and their foetuses can be reduced by practicing antenatal exercise. However, the adequate practice of antenatal exercise among pregnant women is low in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the practice of antenatal exercise and its associated factors among pregnant women in Arba Minch town.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire from 422 pregnant women selected by a simple random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were computed and a binary logistic regression model was fitted. In multivariable logistic-regression adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals were used to determine the strength of associations. The significance level was declared at a p-value < 0.05.

Results

Among 410 participants, 32.9% (95% CI 28%-37%) adequately practiced antenatal exercise. Factors negatively associated with an adequate antenatal exercise were husband’s primary school level [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.3, (95% CI: 0.1, 0.7)], history of miscarriage [AOR = 0.3, (95% CI: 0.1, 0.7)], inadequate knowledge [AOR = 0.2, (95% CI: 0.1, 0.3)], and unfavorable attitude [AOR = 0.3, (95% CI 0.2, 0.5)]. Whereas, factors positively associated with an adequate antenatal exercise were employment status of women [AOR = 4.8, (95% CI: 1.8, 13.1)], and a practice of regular exercise before current pregnancy [AOR = 1.9, (95% CI: 1.1, 3.2)].

Conclusions

The findings of this study indicated that adequate practice of antenatal exercise was found to be low. Appropriate measures should be taken to improve the husband’s educational level, mother’s occupation, knowledge, and attitudes towards antenatal exercise. Special consideration should be given to those with a history of miscarriage and women should be encouraged to practice regular exercise before pregnancy.