Preparation of protocol for removing physical, psychological, environmental and social barriers of physical activity in pregnant women

Abstract

Background and Aim: Physical activity during pregnancy is one important facet of women's health behavior and Lifestyle, it cause to improvement body image, reduction physical discomfort, anxiety and insomnia, and also has beneficial effects on women's delivery and breast feeding. Despite the great benefits of physical activity, it is often weak in pregnant women. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol to remove barriers of physical activity in healthy pregnant women admitted to Shahid Beheshti Health Center and Hospital in Isfahan. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive study with Delphy method and information has been gathered in a triangulation way, which was conducted at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Isfahan. The second phase is a study that in the first phase of the cross-sectional and it was done on 380 pregnant women in 2015. At first, pregnant women completed demographic / reproductive, pregnancy physical activity questionnaire. Then the solutions to remove barriers of physical activity were provided by using the results of the first phase of study, library resources and internet and by performance the Delphi method by faculty members of Department of Midwifery, pregnant women and results of resources, was obtained .Statistical analysis by using descriptive statistical and SPSS statistical software (version 16) was done. The level of significance was set at (p≤ 0.05) for all the statistical tests. Results: Among 74 presented solutions, 61 approaches in the first and second stage in each fourth aspects; physical, psychological, environmental and social were 75th percentile score higher than 8. Conclusion: In order to promote and increase the amount of physical activity during pregnancy, attention and recommendation to implement this protocol in routine prenatal care is essential.