PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN: THE ROLE OF PRIMARY HEALTH CENTERS

G.M. Emmanuel¹, J.K. Sodeinde², O.O. Oyewole¹, E.A. Emmanuel³

Background: Pregnancy is a significant stage in women’s lives during which physiological, psychological, physical, social, and mental behavioral changes occur. This impacts their Physical Activity (PA) level and leads to sedentary and obesity.

Purpose: This study assessed PA, sedentary pattern, and factors that predict PA among pregnant women.The role of primary health centers in promoting PA was also explored.

Methods: A mixed method design (cross-sectional and key informant interview [KII]) was employed to assess the PA level and role of primary health centers respectively in a senatorial district of Nigeria. PA was assessed with International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data was summarized using median and inter-quartile range. Chi-Square was used to test for associations between the categorical variables and Logistic regression to assess factors responsible for PA.

Results: The total of 419 participants (with 7.2% ≤20 years; 58.7%, 21-30 years and 34.1% ≥31years) participated. Most (95%) were married, 43.0% with secondary education, and 30.1% with skilled occupation. About 34.7% were overweight on BMI scale, 45.1% have between one and two children while 59.9% use commercial transportation to access the health facilities. Most (84%) of the participants were physically active. When PA level was adjusted for socio‑demographic factors, only occupation was significantly associated with the level of PA (P = 0.001). The semi-skilled (92.7%) were the most active while the unemployed were the least active (77.5%). Participants were less likely to be physically active if they were unskilled compared with skilled occupation (OR =0.41, CI = 0.20‑0.84; p= 0.015). Moderate PA had the highest energy expenditure while walking had the least. When sedentary behavior of the participant was adjusted for socio‑demographic factors, there exist a significant association in educational level p=0.003, occupation p=0.03, parity p=0.014 and means of transportation to health facilities p=0.012. The result of the KII shows that pregnant women should be involved in PAs as this will enhance their safe delivery. Health education on importance of PAs during pregnancy, social support, emotional support and home visit are seen as roles of primary health center to encourage pregnant women to improve the level of PA and these services were provided in primary care.

Conclusion(s): This study demonstrated that most of the pregnant women were physically active with increased level of moderate energy expenditure. This is as a result of educating the women on physical activities during ante natal classes they attended.

Implications: Education is very significant in attaining high level of PA among pregnant women. Hence, policy makers are to ensure reinforcement of PA education at all levels of health care.

Funding, acknowledgements:  Not funded

Keywords: Physical Activity, Women Health, Primary Health Care

Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board

Committee: Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board Ethics Committee

Ethics number: PHCB/01/05/17/035