Knowledge, attitude and practice of antenatal exercise (ANEx) among married women in Afghanistan: A cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Shakila Niazi Herat Maternity Hospital
  • Qudsia Shakori Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies
  • Mohadeseh Ahmadi University of British Columbia
  • Abdul Wahed Zargoon Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies
  • Rama Shankar Rath All India Institute of Medical Sciences
  • Ranjit Sah Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56101/rimj.v3i2.126

Keywords:

antenatal exercise, knowledge, attitude, practice, Afghanistan

Abstract

Background: Antenatal physical activity is an important physical, mental, and biochemical factor to consider. Several studies across the world have demonstrated the importance of physical activity during the antenatal period. Various factors are associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Antenatal PA. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Antenatal PA among married women in Afghanistan.

Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Herat province. In total, 316 married women age group–16-60 were included in this study. Participants were asked about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Antenatal exercise (ANEx). 

Results: More than half (56.3%) of the participants were between 16-30 years old. Two-thirds of the participants lived in urban areas, and one-sixth of the participants were illiterate (57.9%). Less than one-third of the participants had heard of antenatal exercises (32.0%). Approximately 72% of the participants had poor knowledge, 90% had poor attitudes, and only 4% practiced antenatal exercises. Higher education, residence in urban areas, and higher monthly family income were important predictors of knowledge regarding ANEx. Similarly, a greater number of children and higher education levels are determinants of ANEx practice.

Conclusion: Poor knowledge, attitudes, and practices remained the main barriers to ANEx. In the current situation of political instability and a lack of healthcare facilities, community workers can only be a way to address this issue.

Author Biographies

Shakila Niazi, Herat Maternity Hospital

Herat Maternity Hospita, Herat, Afghanistan

Qudsia Shakori, Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies

Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies, Herat, Afghanistan

Mohadeseh Ahmadi, University of British Columbia

Faculty of Medicine, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Canada

Abdul Wahed Zargoon, Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies

Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies, Herat, Afghanistan

Rama Shankar Rath, All India Institute of Medical Sciences

Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur 273008, India

Ranjit Sah, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital

Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

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Published

2023-11-29

How to Cite

Niazi, S., Shakori, Q., Ahmadi, M., Zargoon, A. W., Rath, R. S., & Sah, R. (2023). Knowledge, attitude and practice of antenatal exercise (ANEx) among married women in Afghanistan: A cross-sectional study. Razi International Medical Journal, 3(2), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.56101/rimj.v3i2.126

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Section

RESEARCH ARTICLE(S)

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