PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN JORDAN

M.S. Nazzal¹, E. Ababneh¹, S. Kanaan², A. Sindiani³, D. Qutaishat⁴

¹Jordan University of Science & Technology, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Irbid, Jordan, ²Qatar University, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Doha, Qatar, ³Jordan University of Science & Technology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Irbid, Jordan, ⁴The University of Jordan, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Amman, Jordan

Background: Physical activity is believed to have immediate and long-term health benefits for both physical and mental health of women in general. It is recommended particularly for healthy pregnant women to engage in a minimum of 30 minutes of regular and moderate physical activity. However, several factors may enhance or limit pregnant women's participation in physical activity. No previous studies have investigated the physical activity level among pregnant women in Jordan.

Purpose: To determine the level of physical activity among pregnant women in Jordan, and to investigate several associated factors of better physical activity levels among pregnant women in Jordan including demographic, pregnancy and health-related, psychological and contextual factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used. Participant survey was constructed to collect demographic, pregnancy and woman's health history. Other outcome measures included Pregnant Physical Activity Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. participants were recruited from various gynecology hospitals and clinics in Northern Jordan.

Results: The sample included 206 pregnant women with a mean age of 30.68 (± 5.28) years, and a mean gestational period of 29.83 weeks (±7.09). Majority of the women (68.9%) did not work. The total participants' mean energy expenditure per week (MET-h/ week) was 233.49 (±137.47), mean for sedentary activities was 50.88 (± 37.86) minutes, light activities was 117.90 (±137.47) minutes, moderate activities was 63.04 (± 73.98) minutes, and vigorous-intensity was 1.29 (± 4.07) minutes. Furthermore, the mean time pregnant women spent in household/caregiving activities, occupational activities, and sports/exercise activities was 136.41 (± 78.06) minutes, 38.76 (± 86.52) minutes, and 4.85 (± 6.90) minutes, respectively. The correlation analysis results showed that having a job (β= 140.24, p<.001), having a more prolonged period since the last pregnancy (birth spacing)(β= .76, p=.023), and having leg cramps (β= 43.09, p= .015) were associated with increased physical activity level. Meanwhile, receiving household tasks assistance (β= -32.71, p= .040), having higher HADS-Depression (β= -6.13, p= .013), and having anemia (β = -46.14, p= .037) were associated inversely with the level of physical activity.

Conclusions: This was the first study to investigate the level of physical activity and its associated factors among pregnant women in Jordan. Findings of this study indicate that pregnant women in Jordan are generally physically inactive and most of the time spent was on household and caregiving activities. The results of this study may potentially be helpful to eliminate the challenges of enhancing the physical activity levels among pregnant women in Jordan.

Implications: Our research highlighted the importance of maternal health in the Jordanian society. Healthcare providers, especially physiotherapists, need to have an active role in providing advice and increase knowledge regarding the importance of the physical activity to pregnant women. Awareness campaigns to improve attitudes towards physical activity during pregnancy in the Jordanian society need to be highlighted.

Funding acknowledgements: Jordan University of Science Technology, Irbid, Jordan (MN# 670/2020).

Keywords:
Pregnancy
Physical Activity
Women's Health

Topics:
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Pelvic, sexual and reproductive health
Education: clinical

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Jordan University of Science Technology, Irbid, Jordan

Committee: King Abdulla University Hospital

Ethics number: (MN# 670/2020)