Perceived Benefits Of Exercise Among Pregnant Mothers In Minna Metropolis

1.2 Statement of the problem

In Nigeria, there has been increased awareness about the benefits of exercise among pregnant women. Some clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the effect of exercise on maternal outcome such as low back/pelvic pain, depression during pregnancy and postpartum, gestational weight gain and excessive weight gain, gestational diabetes and insulin resistance, urinary incontinence symptoms, cardiovascular fitness, and the impact of exercise on quality of life and health status perception. Musculoskeletal discomforts such as lower back, pelvic, and/or joint pain are common complaints during pregnancy associated with the anatomical adaptations during pregnancy and previous risks factors. However, active women were able to better handle the condition. Musculoskeletal pain can also be attenuated with physical activity in some women who present mild pelvic and lumbar discomfort. So, this study is coming at the right time to assess the perception of pregnant women in Minna metropolis on the benefits of exercise during pregnancy.

1.3 Aim and objectives of the study 

The purpose of this study was to assess the perceived benefits of exercise among pregnant mothers in Minna metropolis, Nigeria. 

The objectives of the study are to:

1. Assess the level of knowledge of the importance of exercise among pregnant mothers in Minna metropolis.  

2. Determine pregnant mothers’ perception of the benefits of exercise during pregnancy. 

3. Ascertain the factors influencing the perception of the benefits of exercise among pregnant women in Minna metropolis. 

1.4 Research questions 

1. What is the level of knowledge of the importance of exercise among pregnant mothers in Minna metropolis? 

2. What is the perception of the benefits of exercise among pregnant mothers’ in Minna metropolis? 

3. What are the factors influencing the perception of the benefits of exercise among pregnant women in Minna metropolis? 

1.5 Research hypothesis 

There is no significant relationship between level of knowledge of the importance of exercise among pregnant mothers and perception of the benefits of exercise among pregnant mothers’ in General hospital Minna metropolis. 

1.6 Significance of the study 

The following are the significance of this study:

The result from this study will reveal the perception of pregnant women on exercise. The outcome of this study will also educate on the benefits and outcome of regular exercise by pregnant women.

This research will be a contribution to the body of literature in the area of the effect of personality trait on student’s academic performance, thereby constituting the empirical literature for future research in the subject area.

1.7 Scope of the study 

This study is limited to Minna metropolis and is also concerned on assessing knowledge, perception, and the factors influencing the perception of the benefits of exercise among pregnant women in Minna metropolis? 

1.8 Limitation of the study 

The limitation of this study was the challenge of collecting information from respondents as some respondents were reluctant to give their information for confidential purposes. However, this was overcome by the researchers who administered the questionnaire face-to-face to the respondents who filled and submitted them at the spot. 

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

Attitude: is a hypothetical construct that represents an individual’s degree of like or dislike for something which in turn influences his/her behaviour to that thing. Hornby (2005) defined attitude as the way that you think and feel about somebody or something which influences the way you behave to the person or the thing. 

Exercise: refers to an activity requiring physical effort, carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness. It also refers to physical activity that is done in order to become stronger and healthier.

Postnatal: relating to or denoting the period after childbirth. Postnatal means happening after and relating to the birth of a baby

Practice: means doing a particular thing over and over again. According to Hornby (2005), practice means doing something regularly as part of one’s normal behaviour. Merriam-Webster (2012) adds that to practice means to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually. In this study, practice refers to the habitual actions (prenatal and postnatal exercises) applied by childbearing mothers which are directed towards ensuring that they and their babies do not face the risk of mortality or morbidity in their pregnancies, child births, and post partum periods. 

Prenatal: refers to the period before birth; during or relating to pregnancy. Prenatal care is the regular health care women should receive from an obstetrician or midwife during pregnancy.