Knowledge, attitude and practices of pregnant women towards participation in physical activity in Najjembe Division, Buikwe District, Uganda

Abstract

Participating in regular Physical Activity is one of the pillars of healthy pregnancy. This is because of the numerous benefits it provides to both the woman and the fetus of which among others include; improved bladder and bowel movements, reduced back pain, enabling weight management as well as reducing complications of deliver among the pregnant women. It however improves cardiac and neural behavioral maturation of the fetus which is in harmony with the premises of fetal programming hence satisfactory knowledge about the antenatal exercises is required to enable pregnant women practice correctly these exercises. The aim of the study was to describe the knowledge, attitude and practices of pregnant women toward Physical Activity in Najjembe division, Buikwe district. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 pregnant women in Najjembe division who were chosen randomly based on their village address, out of the 44 villages in Najjembe Division, at least 2 pregnant women were randomly selected. data was presented and analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) and excel. Among the participants, 18% had excellent knowledge, 50% favorable attitude whereas 20% had excellent practices concerning Physical Activity for pregnant women. From the findings, few of the pregnant women have excellent knowledge, many with favorable attitude yet few have excellent practices concerning participation of pregnant women in Physical Activity in Najjembe Division, Buikwe District. The researcher therefore recommends that education programs combined with organized physical activity sessions should be carried out in Najjembe Division to increase pregnant women participation in physical activity.