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. 2022 Feb 22;17(2):e0260840.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260840. eCollection 2022.

Factors associated with antenatal exercise in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

Maechel Maile Beyene  1 , Mulugeta Shegaze Shimbre  2 , Gebresilasea Gendisha Ukke  1 , Mathewos Alemu Gebremichael  2 , Mekdes Kondale Gurara  2
Affiliations

Factors associated with antenatal exercise in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

Maechel Maile Beyene et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Many health risks in pregnant women and their foetuses can be reduced by practicing antenatal exercise. However, the adequate practice of antenatal exercise among pregnant women is low in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the practice of antenatal exercise and its associated factors among pregnant women in Arba Minch town.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire from 422 pregnant women selected by a simple random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were computed and a binary logistic regression model was fitted. In multivariable logistic-regression adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals were used to determine the strength of associations. The significance level was declared at a p-value < 0.05.

Results: Among 410 participants, 32.9% (95% CI 28%-37%) adequately practiced antenatal exercise. Factors negatively associated with an adequate antenatal exercise were husband's primary school level [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.3, (95% CI: 0.1, 0.7)], history of miscarriage [AOR = 0.3, (95% CI: 0.1, 0.7)], inadequate knowledge [AOR = 0.2, (95% CI: 0.1, 0.3)], and unfavorable attitude [AOR = 0.3, (95% CI 0.2, 0.5)]. Whereas, factors positively associated with an adequate antenatal exercise were employment status of women [AOR = 4.8, (95% CI: 1.8, 13.1)], and a practice of regular exercise before current pregnancy [AOR = 1.9, (95% CI: 1.1, 3.2)].

Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated that adequate practice of antenatal exercise was found to be low. Appropriate measures should be taken to improve the husband's educational level, mother's occupation, knowledge, and attitudes towards antenatal exercise. Special consideration should be given to those with a history of miscarriage and women should be encouraged to practice regular exercise before pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Schematic representation of sampling procedure of pregnant women in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia 2020.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Reasons for not practicing antenatal exercise in the current pregnancy among participants in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia, 2020.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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