Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Exercise During Pregnancy Among Antenatal Care Attendees in North-eastern Nigeria
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Abstract
Background: Regular physical activity during pregnancy is a crucial component of antenatal care, offering significant maternal and fetal health benefits, including improved cardiovascular fitness and reduced risk of gestational complications. However, engagement in prenatal exercise remains low in many resource-limited settings, often due to gaps between knowledge, attitude, and actual practice. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of exercise during pregnancy among women attending antenatal care at General Hospital Darazo in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Methods: A hospital-based, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 242 pregnant women selected via random sampling. Data were collected using a validated, structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge (5 items), attitude (5 items), and practice (5 items) related to exercise during pregnancy. Frequency distributions and simple percentages were used for data analysis. Results: Of the 235 respondents who completed the survey, the majority were aged 20–25 years (31.5%), married (94%), and had primary education (25.5%). Most demonstrated good knowledge (83.6%) and a positive attitude (76.0%) toward prenatal exercise. However, only 27.4% reported engaging in regular exercise during pregnancy, indicating a substantial knowledge–practice gap. Conclusion: Despite adequate knowledge and favourable attitudes, the practice of exercise during pregnancy remains low among antenatal attendees in this setting. Targeted interventions, including structured antenatal exercise education and family involvement, are recommended to improve adherence to physical activity guidelines during pregnancy.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Abubakar Musa, Usman Abba, Hauwa Ibrahim, Muhammad Umar Ibrahim
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