Attitudes and Barriers to Physical Activity and Exercise Self-Efficacy Among Chinese Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.
J Multidiscip Healthc
; 16: 3561-3573, 2023.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38024132
ABSTRACT
Background:
Most pregnant women do not reach the recommendation for physical activity (PA). As a subcategory of PA, exercise is also essential. Evidence on pregnant women's attitudes and barriers to PA and exercise self-efficacy in China is scarce.Aim:
To explore the levels and influencing factors of attitudes and barriers to PA and exercise self-efficacy among pregnant women.Methods:
A cross-sectional study of 311 pregnant women was conducted from August to December 2022. Individual characteristics, pregnant women's attitudes toward exercise, barriers to prenatal PA and exercise, and exercise self-efficacy were measured using the self-designed demographic questionnaire, pregnant women's attitudes toward exercise questionnaire, barriers to prenatal PA and exercise questionnaire, and the pregnancy exercise self-efficacy scale, respectively.Results:
More than 90% of pregnant women believed exercise benefits themselves and their babies, and 40.8% of pregnant women did not know how to exercise. Women encounter different types of barriers to PA and exercise. Intrapersonal barriers included the proportion of feelings of tiredness (56.6%), low energy (54.7%), lack of interest or motivation (49.2%), feelings of illness and morning sickness (46.6%), and large body weight (43.7%). Interpersonal barriers included pregnant women being advised to avoid PA and exercise (49.2%), lack of clear advice about the intensity and dose of exercise (41.8%), no one to exercise with (38.9%), and lack of advice from healthcare professionals (38.6%). Weather conditions were the most significant environmental barriers (41.2%). The total score of pregnancy exercise self-efficacy was (38.50±7.33). Education level, parity, and attitudes toward exercise independently predict pregnant women's attitudes toward exercise, barriers to prenatal PA and exercise, and exercise self-efficacy, respectively.Conclusion:
Pregnant women have a favorable attitude toward exercise and relatively good exercise self-efficacy but lack knowledge of exercise. They face numerous barriers. Medical professionals should encourage pregnant women with lower levels of education to exercise and assist multipara in overcoming obstacles.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Multidiscip Healthc
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article