Barriers to Physical Activity Among Pregnant Women During Pregnancy

Authors

  • Fatima Aslam Department of Community Medicine, Kulliyah of Medicine, IIUM
  • Karimah Hanim Abd Aziz Department of Community Medicine, Kulliyah of Medicine, IIUM
  • Nurjasmine Aida Jamani Department of Family Medicine, Kulliyah of Medicine, IIUM
  • Razman Mohd Rus Department of Community Medicine, Kulliyah of Medicine, IIUM

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v5i0.314

Keywords:

pregnant mothers, physical activities, barriers, pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: Co-morbidities such as obesity, gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension during pregnancy can be dangerous to the mother and foetus. Regular physical activity during pregnancy not only maintains maternal and foetal wellbeing, but it also maintains physical fitness and brings various health benefits. However, many women reduce their physical activity levels during pregnancy.

Objectives: Thus, this study aimed to identify the barriers that could prevent pregnant mothers from doing physical activities.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 168 pregnant women aged 18 to 35 years between gestational age 12 to 35 weeks in a primary health clinic in Kuantan, Pahang. Their socio-demographic characteristics were recorded, and barriers for physical activity assessed through a set of pre-tested questionnaire.Descriptive statisticswere used to describe the sociodemographiccharacteristics and the barriers.

Results: The mean (SD) age was 28.0 (3.6) and majority of them were of Malay ethnicity from B40 group. Two thirds (74.4%) had tertiary education and 66.7% were working mothers. More than half (53.0%) of the participants wereoverweight and obese.Moreover, 58% of the participants had leg cramp and 63.1% felt fatigue. Almost 80.4% had backache and 46.4% had epigastric discomfort.

Conclusion: Barriers such as leg cramp, backache, fatigue and epigastric discomfort could prevent pregnant women from conducting physical activities. Opportunistic recommendation by physician and concerns on the physical activity should be addressed.

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2021 Page: S23

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Published

2021-03-05

How to Cite

Aslam, F., Aziz, K. H. A., Jamani, N. A., & Rus, R. M. (2021). Barriers to Physical Activity Among Pregnant Women During Pregnancy. International Journal of Human and Health Sciences (IJHHS), 5, S23. https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v5i0.314

Issue

2021: Supplementary Issue: 2021

Section

E-Poster Presentation

License

Copyright (c) 2021 Fatima Aslam, Karimah Hanim Abd Aziz, Nurjasmine Aida Jamani, Razman Mohd Rus

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