Table 2 Attitude towards the safety, conducts and benefits of physical activity
Variables | Responses | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SA n (%) | A n (%) | UD n (%) | D n (%) | SD n (%) | |
Attitude towards safety of physical activity | |||||
 Physical activity during pregnancy is not safe for the mother or fetus | 24 (5.2) | 79 (17.0) | 18 (3.9) | 238 (51.2) | 106 (22.8) |
 Physical activity during pregnancy leads to abortion or miscarriage, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth retardation | 25 (5.4) | 81 (17.4) | 31 (6.7) | 228 (49.0) | 100 (21.5) |
 Engaging in regular physical activity during pregnancy is harmful | 15 (3.2) | 62 (13.3) | 32 (6.9) | 264 (56.8) | 92 (19.8) |
 Physical activity during pregnancy increases body temperature | 17 (3.7) | 58 (12.5) | 50 (10.8) | 256 (55.1) | 84 (18.1) |
Attitude towards carrying out physical activity | |||||
 Physical activity improves a woman's labour and delivery | 139 (29.9) | 265 (57.0) | 13 (2.8) | 36 (7.7) | 12 (2.6) |
 Avoid long periods of standing in one place without moving while pregnant | 132 (28.4) | 282 (60.6) | 18 (3.9) | 23 (4.9) | 10 (2.2) |
 Women who have never exercised can begin an exercise program during pregnancy | 102 (21.9) | 285 (61.3) | 40 (8.6) | 32 (6.9) | 6 (1.3) |
 Engaging in physical activity during pregnancy improves the health of the baby | 131 (28.2) | 292 (62.8) | 23 (4.9) | 15 (3.2) | 4 (0.9) |
 Regular exercise at least three times per week is better than activity done irregularly or less often during pregnancy | 115 (24.7) | 264 (56.8) | 29 (6.2) | 51 (11.0) | 6 (1.3) |
Attitude towards the benefits of physical activity | |||||
 Physical activity decreases infant weight | 52 (11.2) | 118 (25.4) | 59 (12.7) | 193 (41.5) | 43 (9.2) |
 Engaging in physical activity decreases joint pain | 73 (15.7) | 275 (59.1) | 37 (8.0) | 66 (14.2) | 14 (3.0) |
 Physical activity improves your mood | 97 (20.9) | 294 (63.2) | 32 (6.9) | 33 (7.1) | 9 (1.9) |
 Engaging in physical activity decreases back pain | 86 (18.5) | 268 (57.6) | 43 (9.2) | 55 (11.8) | 13 (2.8) |
 Engaging in physical activity decreased pregnancy-induced hypertension | 63 (13.5) | 186 (40.0) | 130 (28.0) | 74 (15.9) | 12 (2.6) |
 Engaging in physical activity decreases the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus | 52 (11.2) | 182 (39.1) | 143 (30.8) | 74 (15.9) | 14 (3.0) |
 Physical activity enhances better sleeping patterns | 102 (21.9) | 298 (64.1) | 29 (6.2) | 27 (5.8) | 9 (1.9) |
 Physical activity improves your general health | 141 (30.3) | 295 (63.4) | 17 (3.7) | 8 (1.7) | 4 (0.9) |
 Physical activity decreases the risk of muscle cramps and oedema in the lower limbs | 103 (22.2) | 187 (40.2) | 116 (24.9) | 53 (11.4) | 6 (1.3) |
 Physical activity improves your self-image | 102 (21.9) | 295 (63.4) | 41 (8.8) | 22 (4.7) | 5 (1.1) |
 Engaging in physical activity decreases complications at birth | 97 (20.9) | 209 (44.9) | 59 (12.7) | 89 (19.1) | 11 (2.4) |
 Women can continue regular exercise during pregnancy | 113 (24.3) | 292 (62.8) | 36 (7.7) | 21 (4.5) | 3 (0.6) |