Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Though, positive correlation and relationship between physical activity and maternal health, is proved, but, for a few reasons, physical activity declines during pregnancy. Some study suggests that self-efficacy is correlated with sustaining engagement in physical activity. The purpose of this study was to obtain physical activity level; self-efficacy and knowledge about benefits and safety during pregnancy among 205 pregnant women refer to health center of 22- region in capital Tehran.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of 205 pregnant women refer to health center.Tools of current study were self-reported questionnaire for assessing self-efficacy and knowledge about benefits and safety during pregnancy, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and demographics questionnaire. To assess statistical differences between groups, one-way analysis of variance & Chi-Square was conducted. Alpha level for statistical significance was set at 0.05 and data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software Version 16.0 (SPSS).

Results: physical activity self-efficacy was significantly related to maternal education (p=0.047) and physical activity level (p=0.008). There is significant relationship between maternal physical activity level and their education (p=0.011) and job (p=0.015). There is not significant relationship between self-efficacy and age (p=0.363) and gestational status (p=0.954). Only 33.1% (n=68) of participants knew that activity would increase maternal energy level, 52.2% (n=107) perceived that exercise can prevent the risk of gestational diabetes, and just 25.9% (n=53) reported that a mother who is overweight is more likely to have an overweight child.

Conclusion: Results verified that education was important role in women’s information about health benefits and safety knowledge related to physical activity during pregnancy.