KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS EXERCISE AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Exercise is a subset of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive, and purposeful in the sense that improvement or maintenance of physical fitness is the objective. Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. There has been an increase in the number of challenges during delivery among pregnant women which may not be totally attributed to physicians’ deficiencies or hospital apparatus, but hinged on absence of relative required participation in exercises and recreational activities. Ignorance of the benefits of participating in exercises and recreational activities have been understood to be the main underlying factor posing a great risk against participation in exercises by most pregnant women, as what is not treasured, can never be held in high esteem. Conformity to most exercise prescribed for pregnant women during antennal care by physicians seem low and therefore some experience difficulty during labour. This study was conducted to investigate knowledge, perception and attitude toward exercise and recreational activities among pregnant women in Ibadan North Local Government Area. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a multi-stage sampling technique with a validated 29-point semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire to elicit information on respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception and attitude of 192 pregnant women towards exercise and recreational activities from selected antenatal clinics in Ibadan North Local Government Area. An 11-point knowledge scale was used to assess knowledge on the health benefits of exercise and recreational activities; Knowledge score (KS) ˂ 5 was categorised as fair; KS ≥ 5 was categorised as good. A 9-point perception scale was used to determine the perception towards exercise and recreational activities; perception score ˂ 4 was rated negative perception while perception score ≥ 4 was rated positive perception. Also a 9-point attitude scale was also used to determine the attitude towards exercise and recreational; attitude score ˂ 4 was considered negative while a score ≥ 4 was considered positive attitude. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as Chi square and Fischer’s exact test at p˂0.05 level of significance. Age of the respondents was 27.5±5.6 years. The respondents comprised of (90.6%) married, respondents with secondary education were (49.5%) and those that had tertiary education were (32.3%). Knowledge score of the respondents was 7.6±1.7, (55.2%) had good knowledge, (92.7%) had positive perception and (93.8%) had a favourable attitude towards exercise and recreational activities. While knowledge about exercise and recreational activities encouraged pregnant women to engage in these activities, the type of exercise, intensity and consistency of exercise during pregnancy had opposite effects. There was a statistically significant difference between perception and practice of recreational activities. Knowledge, perception and attitude towards exercise and recreational activities were favourable. However, knowledge of the recommended exercise and recreational activities was low. Extra emphases should be placed on educating pregnant women on the various types of exercise and recreational activities they should engage in