Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Physical activity is decreased during pregnancy due to insufficient knowledge of advantages and lack of self-efficacy for physical activity. This study aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention to improve self-efficacy, knowledge of advantages and safety tips for physical activity among pregnant in 2018.
Methods: This study as an experimental interventional one with two intervention and control groups conducted among 144 pregnant women referred to health centers in south of Tehran. Participants were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups (n= 72). Background information, physical activity self-efficacy questionnaire, physical activity benefits, physical activity safety tips during pregnancy, and a short version of the International Physical Activity Inventory (IPAQ) were used to collect data. Intervention was set to the intervention group in four sessions during one month. Participants in both groups filled the questionnaires to assess the effect of intervention three months after intervention.
Results: The background variables excepting marriage age (p=0.004) and the spouse's education (p=0.032) was not significant between the two groups. Mean score of physical activity self-efficacy before the intervention was not significant between the two groups but, after the intervention, it was significant in both groups (p=0.014). Moreover, in intervention group, there was a significant relation in the intervention group before and after intervention, (p<0.001). Between two groups, there was no significant differences about the knowledge of benefits (p=0.552), and physical activity safety points (p=0.95) before intervention, but these two outcomes had significantly difference after intervention (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). There was a significant difference in physical activity in intervention group before and after intervention (p=0.002).
Conclusion: The study results revealed that conducting educational intervention can be effective to improve pregnant women awareness about the advantages and benefits of physical activity and to improve their self-efficacy during pregnancy.