Antenatal Exercise Practices: Associated Factors and Correlation with Antenatal Quality of Life

Aims: The study aims to assess the relationship between antenatal exercise practice and health-related quality of life of Nigerian pregnant women.

Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive correlational.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Mother of Christ Specialist Hospital Ogui and Polly Clinic Asata, all in Enugu during February to April 2016.

Methodology: A questionnaire adapted from previous studies and SF36 forms were respectively used to obtain information on antenatal exercise practice and health-related quality of life from 300 pregnant women (age range of 17-45 years) who were attending three antenatal clinics in Enugu, Nigeria. Data were analysed with independent t-test and standard multiple regression at a significance level of 0.05.

Results: Present study revealed that a greater percentage of the women practised antenatal exercise (72.3%), particularly aerobics (47.9%) and stretching exercises (24.0%). Majority demonstrated unsuitable duration (61.3%) and frequencies (74.7%) of antenatal exercise practices. Women who practised antenatal exercise significantly (p< 0.001) showed higher values in most health-related quality of life domains, as compared to those who did not exercise. Antenatal exercise practice significantly (p < 0.001) predicted health-related quality of life of the women while frequency and duration of antenatal exercise were not determinants of their health-related quality of life.

Conclusion: Maternal health education on antenatal exercise practices should be intensified and needs to incorporate relevant factors of antenatal exercise, including recommended frequency and duration of practice.