Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards ante natal exercise among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Health centers of Mekelle, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, 2020

BACKGROUND: If pregnant mothers have no medical or obstetrical complications, they are encouraged to maintain active lifestyles during their pregnancies. Benefits of exercise during pregnancy include; prevention of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and reduced low back pain. Therefore this study is done to assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards antenatal exercise among pregnant women who are attending antenatal care at health centers of Mekelle, Tigray Region, Ethiopia. METHOD: For this study cross-sectional study design was used. It was conducted from October 2019 up to January 2020 among 255 pregnant women who are attending antenatal care at selected health centers of Mekelle city. After the data were collected it was entered into epi-data 4.2.0 and was analyzed by using SPSS version 23. RESULT: Among the study participants of pregnant women 51%, 56% and 16.6% had good knowledge, positive attitude and practice towards antenatal exercise respectively. Among those 38.8%, 45.9% and 49.8% were expressed as antenatal exercise can decrease back pain, prevents excessive weight gain and increase energy and stamina during pregnancy respectively. Among those who practiced antenatal exercise, 95% and 83.4% was practicing with frequency ≥ three times per week and ≥20 minutes of the duration of exercise per session respectively. DISCUSSION: Generally, this study showed that the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant mothers regarding antenatal exercise is poor. Therefore, health care providers who work on maternal health (Gynecologists, Midwives, Nurses, Health extension workers and other community workers) should provide counseling and health education on antenatal exercise.