Last modified: 2014-01-20
Abstract
Purpose: This study assessed knowledge, attitude and practice of antenatal and postnatal exercises among women.
Relevance: Benefits of exercise during and after pregnancy have been stressed. However, empirical reports on knowledge, attitude and practice of antenatal and postnatal exercise among women are still few.
Participants: The study was carried out among 365 women attending antenatal and postnatal hospitals in Ile – Ife, Nigeria.
Methods: A 3-section questionnaire that assessed socio-demographic, maternal characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practice of antenatal and postnatal exercises was used in this cross-sectional study.
Analysis: Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and frequency were used to summarize data. Inferential statistic of Chi-square was used to test the associations between knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers towards antenatal and postnatal exercise. Alpha level was set at p<0.05.
Results: Awareness of antenatal and postnatal exercises was 92.6% and 61.9% respectively. 318(87.1%) respondents had a positive attitude to exercise while 81.9% engaged in exercise. There was significant association between knowledge about benefits of antenatal and postnatal exercise and each of age and educational qualification (p<0.05). 180(49.3%) had above average knowledge, 11(3%) had average knowledge, while 174(47.7%) had below average knowledge regarding knowledge on benefits of antenatal exercise. Regarding knowledge on benefits of postnatal exercises 174(47.7%) had above average knowledge, 15(4.1%) had average knowledge, while 176(48.2%) had below average knowledge. regarding knowledge on benefits of postnatal exercises. 106(35.5%) of the women were on self-prescription, 86(28.8%) on prescription by nurses, 83(27.8%) on prescription by physiotherapists, 49(16.4%) on prescription by doctors and 17(5.7%) on prescription by their spouses. Lack of information about exercise (53%) and tiredness (43%) accounted mostly for not engaging in exercise.
Conclusions: Knowledge and practice of women towards antenatal and postnatal exercises was inadequate. However, the women had a positive attitude towards exercise. Lack of information on exercise, tiredness and lack of motivation were the main reasons for poor exercise practice. Self-prescription of antenatal and postnatal exercise was a common practice among the women. Level of education was significantly associated with knowledge, attitude and practice of antenatal and postnatal exercises.
Implications: Studies on knowledge, attitude and practice of exercise are important to understand the barriers and facilitators to exercise. However, such studies are scant among pregnant and nursing mothers.