Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Antepartum Exercises among Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Delta State University, Teaching Hospital (Delsuth),Oghara

Research Article

Abstract

Building strength during pregnancy for child birth is an essential element in promoting maternal and foetal health; this can be attained through antenatal exercise. This study assessed the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of antenatal exercise among women attending antenatal clinic in Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara. A descriptive design and convenience sampling technique was utilized for this study. The sample size for the study was 150 women selected through a convenience sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was a researcher’s developed structured questionnaire made up of four sections. The results showed that 76.7% of the respondents were aware of antepartum exercise, and about 50% of them had average knowledge on the types of antepartum exercise. The attitude of the women towards antenatal exercise was generally positive from the results obtained. Their level of practice of exercise was poor as the majority (33.3%), perform exercise only twice a week, which was not in accordance with the recommended guidelines by the World Health Organization. Based on these findings, there is a need for Nurses and Midwives to design interventions that will create prenatal and antenatal exercises awareness among women.