Physical exercise and its associated factors among Ethiopian pregnant women: a cross-sectional study based on the theory of planned behavior

INTRODUCTION: Women in Ethiopia prefer sedentary behavior and are physically inactive during pregnancy; this increases the risks of pregnancy-related complications. Therefore, this study aimed to assess physical exercise and its associated factors among pregnant women attending Antenatal Care at Debermarkose Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: using the theory of planned behavior. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 23rd February to 10th June, 2020. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 333 study participants. Data were collected with face-to-face interviews using a pretested structured questionnaire. Epi-info and STATA version 14.0 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Multivariable linear regression analysis was done to identify the association between dependent and independent factors, and p < 0.05 was used as a cutoff to determine statistical significance at multivariable logistics regressions. RESULT: A total of 333 pregnant women were participated in this study with response rate of 98%. The proportion of variance (R(2)) in intention accounted for the factors was 0.79. The magnitude of intention to do physical exercise during the current pregnancy was 3.8 ± 2. primary level of education (β = 0.43; 95% CI 0.25, 0.61), 2nd trimester gestational age (β = 0.19; 95% CI 0.04, 0.33), 3rd trimester gestational age (β = 0.17; 95% CI 0.02, 0.32), Attitude (β = 0.34; 95% CI 0.19, 0.49), subjective norm (β = 0.12; 95% CI 0.01, 0.23) and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.45; 95% CI 0.33, 0.57) were significantly associated with pregnant womens’ intention to do physical exercise during pregnancy period. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This study provided that the theory of planned behavior could be successfully applied to identify the factors related to the intention to do physical exercise during pregnancy The program designers who work on pregnancy better consider providing Information education and communication to change the attitude, work on influencing significant individuals and barriers and enabling factors.