PREVALENCE OF PHYSICAL INACTIVITY AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN NSUKKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

Physical inactivity has been identified as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among pregnant women. It is a risk factor of many non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, hypertension and other cardiovascular problems. The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of physical inactivity among pregnant women in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State. Three research questions and two hypotheses were postulated to guide the study. The study utilized the survey research design. Population for the study consisted of 1,684 pregnant women accessing antenatal care services at health facilities in Nsukka Local Government Area from November 2016 to June 2017. The study sample consisted of 325 pregnant women. This sample size was in line with the assertion of Cohen, Mannion, and Morrison (2011), that when the population size is above 650 at 95% confidence level (4% confidence interval), the sample size should be 323 for determining the sample size of any definite population. The researcher sampled three hundred and fifty five respondents (355) to guide against poor return rate and those discarded due to incomplete information. The instrument for data collection was the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The study adapted only the walking and moderate physical activity sections of the instrument. Cronbach alpha statistic was used to determine the reliability coefficient of the IPAQ. The reliability coefficient of the adapted IPAQ was 0.76. Data collected were transformed using MET-minutes/week. The MET for low-intensity activity such as walking activity was computed using 3.3 x days x time and MET for moderate-intensity activity was computed using 4.0 x days x time. Data were analysed using statistical package for social science. Participants were classified into three physical activity levels based on MET values (minute/week) as follows: inactive < 600 MET-min/week, minimally or sufficiently active <1500 MET-min/week and HEPA active >3000 MET-min/week. Frequencies and percentages were used to answer research questions. One –way ANOVA and independent T-test were used to test the hypotheses. The results revealed that majority of the pregnant women were inactive on walking activities. The result further indicated that majority of the pregnant women who attained tertiary education were more inactive ( > 600 METmin/week) in low intensity but they engaged more in moderate and vigorous activities than other educational levels. Also, majority in 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester were more physically inactive in low-intensity and vigorous activities. There was no significant difference in the physical activity levels of pregnant women across the four educational groups: WMETS, F (3,321) = .233, P = .87; MMETS, F (3,321) =.682, P = .56; VMETS, F (3,320) =1.333, P = .26. There were significant differences in physical inactivity levels of pregnant women across all trimesters in WMETS, F (2,322) = 5.353, P = .01 and MMETS, F (2,322) = 5.421, P = .01. The study recommended that pregnant women especially those in 2nd and 3rd trimester should be educated on the benefits of physical activity during antenatal clinic.