INTENTION TO DO PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANC IN, DEBREMARKOS REFERRAL HOSPITAL, NORTH WEST, ETHIOPIA USING THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Regular physical exercise is necessary in all phases of life, including pregnancy, to promote health benefits. Despite this benefit pregnant mothers prefer sedentary behavior during pregnancy and increase the risks of pregnancy related complications. Sedentary behavior increases risk of labor complication which is preventable. In Africa physical activity during pregnancy is low. Ethiopia is among one of the countries with high sedentary behavior. Objective: - To assess magnitude of intention to do physical exercise and associated factor among pregnant women attending Antenatal Care ( Method:-.Institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 333 pregnant mothers attending ANC follow-up at Debremarkos hospital from 10 March to 15 May 2020. The study participants were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were entered using Epidata version 4.6 and analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Simple linear regression and Multi-variable linear regression model were fitted to see the association of dependent and independent variables. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used declare statistically significance. Result: -From a total of 339 pregnant mothers recruited in the study 333 participated with a response rate of 98.2%. The mean age of the respondent was 28.9 with standard deviation intention was 13.02 Conclusion: - The mean intention of pregnant women to do physical exercise was 13.05( 4.18 religion and gestational age. Therefore, health intervention programs should be designed to make pregnant women’s confident and decisive towards doing physical exercise; this will help pregnant women’s develop a positive attitude towards physical exercise. Key word: - intention, physical exercise, theory of planed behavior, pregnant