Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences and Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia.
PLoS One. 2021 Feb 19;16(2):e0247533. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247533. eCollection 2021.
"Is pregnancy opportunity or a barrier for engaging in exercise". Maternal health still is a top priority in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. Participation in exercises during pregnancy in low-middle income countries is constrained. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of antenatal exercises among Ethiopian women during pregnancy, and also to examine the barriers to prenatal physical activity.
A descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted and 349 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at the ante-natal care clinic, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital were recruited. Data were obtained on maternal characteristics, knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers towards antenatal exercise (ANEx) by interview method.
Among 349 pregnant women, 138 (39.5%) and 193 (55.3%) had adequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practice respectively. Overall, 108 (30.9) of the respondents practiced antenatal exercise, while only 41 (37.9%) of those pregnant women had a good practice. Brisk walking (90.7%), relaxation (38.9%), and breathing exercise (36.1%) were most practice ANEx, while pelvic floor 6 (5.6%) and 3 (2.8%) yoga were the least practiced. Enhancing post-natal recovery (71%) and vaginal bleeding (64.5) were perceived as benefits and contraindication of ANEx. More than half of the pregnant women (53.6) reported that ANEx is not appropriate for Ethiopian culture. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of ANEx among pregnant women are significantly associated with higher education, government employees, pre-pregnancy exercise, and being advised on ANEx before. Women with adequate knowledge are more likely to have a good practice (AOR 4.53, 95%CI: 1.64, 15.3).
The findings of this study suggest that knowledge concerning antenatal exercise is low and their attitude is reasonably favorable. However, very few Ethiopian pregnant practices ANEx according to recommended guidelines during pregnancy.
“怀孕是参与运动的机会还是障碍”。孕产妇健康仍然是撒哈拉以南非洲地区（包括埃塞俄比亚）的首要任务。在中低收入国家，孕妇参与运动受到限制。本研究的目的是评估埃塞俄比亚孕妇在怀孕期间对产前运动的知识、态度和实践，并探讨产前身体活动的障碍。
采用描述性医院横断面研究，在戈德龙大学综合专科医院的产前诊所招募了 349 名接受产前护理的孕妇。通过访谈方法获得产妇特征、知识、态度、实践和产前运动（ANEx）障碍方面的数据。
在 349 名孕妇中，分别有 138 名（39.5%）和 193 名（55.3%）具有足够的知识、积极的态度和好的实践。总体而言，108 名（30.9%）受访者进行了产前运动，而只有 41 名（37.9%）孕妇有良好的实践。快步走（90.7%）、放松（38.9%）和呼吸练习（36.1%）是最常见的产前运动，而骨盆底 6（5.6%）和 3（2.8%）瑜伽是最不常见的。增强产后恢复（71%）和阴道出血（64.5%）被认为是产前运动的益处和禁忌。超过一半的孕妇（53.6%）表示产前运动不适合埃塞俄比亚文化。孕妇对产前运动的知识、态度和实践与较高的教育水平、政府雇员、孕前运动以及产前运动建议显著相关。知识充足的女性更有可能有良好的实践（AOR 4.53，95%CI：1.64，15.3）。
本研究结果表明，关于产前运动的知识较低，态度相当有利。然而，根据推荐指南，很少有埃塞俄比亚孕妇在怀孕期间进行产前运动。
