Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Antenatal Exercises and Physical Activity Levels Among Pregnant Women in Islamabad and Rawalpindi: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Background: A healthy and active pregnancy period benefits both the mother and the fetus indicating the value of antenatal exercise knowledge and which was not as well discussed. Pregnant women who pay little attention to antenatal exercise and physical activity may gain too much weight and experience additional problems during and even after pregnancy.
Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antenatal exercises and to identify the levels of physical activity among the pregnant women.
Methodology: The Polish Version of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ-PI) and the knowledge Attitude and Practice Questionnaire (KAP) were used in a descriptive cross-sectional study with a sample size of 137 pregnant women to gauge their level of physical activity and knowledge. We determine the relationship between age, miscarriage history, and knowledge score using a chi-square. Physical activity and KAP patterns were interpreted as Frequency tables. SPSS version 25 was used for data entry and analysis.
Results: Current study show that 55% of participants have adequate knowledge of antenatal exercises, while 44% lack sufficient knowledge. 47% of women engage in physical activity, whereas 51% do not meet the recommended levels.
Conclusion: This study explored pregnant women (primigravida, multigravida) knowledge and practices regarding antenatal exercises and physical activity. Factors like age, family size, and daily habits were found to impact their understanding and adoption of healthy physical activity during pregnancy.
Keywords: Antenatal, Exercise, Pregnancy, Physical Activity
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