A Cross-sectional study to determine the Attitudes of Pregnant Women attending Antenatal Clinic at Lira Regional Referral Hospital towards Physical Activity during Pregnancy.

Abstract

Background. Physical activity during pregnancy provides many health benefits not only to pregnant mothers but also to the fetuses. This study assessed the attitude of pregnant women towards PA in pregnancy among pregnant women attending ANC in Lira Regional Referral Hospital. Methods. The cross-sectional study of 152 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic visits in Lira Regional referral Hospital, northern Uganda. Data were obtained on socio-demographic characteristics of mothers’ attitudes towards PA in pregnancy. Results. We found that 80% of pregnant mothers had a positive attitude toward physical activity during pregnancy. The attitude was associated with marital status (p=0.049), the number of children they had to care for, a busy schedule, fear of PA, and lack of information were the principal reasons not to do Physical Activity. Conclusion. The majority of women (80%) had a positive attitude toward PA during pregnancy Recommendations. Based on the findings that some small percentages had a negative attitude towards PA in pregnancy, health educators should be encouraged to avail the information to the community members, this will enable the community to develop good feelings towards antenatal exercises. Pregnant women should be encouraged to form exercise groups in their communities so they provide moral support for each other. Based on findings from other studies that there is a low practice of PA in pregnancy, further studies should be done in Uganda to come up with the prevalence of PA during pregnancy in Uganda.

Keywords

• Physical activity
• Antenatal
• Exercise
• Lira Regional Referral Hospital
• Pregnant mothers