The Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Exercise among Women Attending Antenatal Care at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

Introduction:There is persuasive evidence on the benefits of exercise during pregnancy such as; reduced time spent in labour, prevention of caesarean sections, quick recovery after childbirth and getting back to the pre-pregnancy figure. The aim of the study was to obtain information on the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards exercise among women attending antenatal care at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional exploratory study. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire and summarized using descriptive statistics. The chi-square test was used to test associations and the significance level was set at 5%. Results: Three hundred pregnant women participated in the study and the majority (n=222) 74% showed inadequate knowledge on the type of exercises done in pregnancy. Knowledge and attitude was positively associated with the educational level (p<0.03) though exercise practice in relation to the educational level was insignificant. The number of pregnancies were also positively associated with the pregnant women's knowledge (p=0.001), attitude (p<0.01) and practice (p=0.01) towards exercise in pregnancy. Conclusions: The flow of information on the types of exercises done in pregnancy Original Research Articleamong pregnant women attending antenatal care is inadequate. This underlines the need for physiotherapy personnel involvement in antenatal care to provide information and advice on exercises to pregnant women.

Antenatal exercises during pregnancy: knowledge, attitude, and practice of pregnant women in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…Therefore, a large group of respondents seems to have a negative attitude towards ANEx in pregnancy. This nding is below par with the recent studies that have reported a positive prototype shift in attitudes toward exercise among pregnant women globally over the past two decades [9][10][11]31]. This study found that attitude towards exercise in pregnancy was mostly in uenced by concerns about fetal safety, cultural constraints, lack of family support, and insu cient information about ANEx.…”

“…A structured knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) ANEx questionnaire (Additional le 1) was used for data collection. The questions to be included in the instrument were adapted from previous studies conducted in Brazil, Nigeria, Zambia, American Pregnancy Association top recommended exercises (APA), and ACOG recommendations [9,17,28,29]. The questionnaire requested information on the sociodemographic, maternal characteristics, their knowledge concerning ANEx, need for ANEx during pregnancy, and barriers to ANEx.…”

“…3.7) and UNFPA emphasize on improving reproductive health care services and promotion of international maternal health standards in all countries by 2030 [5,6]. Studies have shown ANC that included exercise programs have an impact on the major preventable causes of fetal ill health, infant death, shape trends of mortality, and morbidity among women population [7][8][9]. Over the past two decades, attitude towards antenatal exercises has changed around the world and the concept of t pregnancy steadily gained popularity based on its positive outcomes [9][10][11].…”

“…Studies have shown ANC that included exercise programs have an impact on the major preventable causes of fetal ill health, infant death, shape trends of mortality, and morbidity among women population [7][8][9]. Over the past two decades, attitude towards antenatal exercises has changed around the world and the concept of t pregnancy steadily gained popularity based on its positive outcomes [9][10][11]. But still, cultural acknowledgment, ethnic practices, beliefs, maternal age, unwanted pregnancy, women educational, health care access, utility, trained professionals, health-seeking behavior of women, family support, and economic status are signi cantly associated with the knowledge and practice of antenatal exercise among women living in developing countries [8][9][10][12][13][14][15].…”

“…Over the past two decades, attitude towards antenatal exercises has changed around the world and the concept of t pregnancy steadily gained popularity based on its positive outcomes [9][10][11]. But still, cultural acknowledgment, ethnic practices, beliefs, maternal age, unwanted pregnancy, women educational, health care access, utility, trained professionals, health-seeking behavior of women, family support, and economic status are signi cantly associated with the knowledge and practice of antenatal exercise among women living in developing countries [8][9][10][12][13][14][15]. Common misconception and concerns of pregnant women, family member, and some of the obstetrician-gynecologists are that exercise during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, poor fetal growth, musculoskeletal pain, musculoskeletal injury, and premature delivery, while in the absence of absolute contraindications, antenatal exercises are safe, desirable, vital, and should be encouraged [1,16,17].…”