Knowledge about Prenatal Exercises among Medical Undergraduates in a Medical College in Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Exercise and regular physical activity during pregnancy are beneficial to maintain good maternal and fetal health, and to improve the ability to cope with labor. Pregnant women can follow physical activity guidelines with pregnancy-specific recommendations unless contraindicated. The benefits of prenatal exercises include reduction in cesarean rates, appropriate maternal and fetal weight gain, and managing gestational diabetes. This study aims to assess knowledge about prenatal exercises among medical undergraduates.

Methods:  A cross-sectional study was carried out among 254 medical undergraduates after ensuring ethical clearance (ref no 077/078/48). Simple random sampling was done. Five-point Likert scale questionnaire was directly administrated. Data entry and analysis were done with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version  26 version. Descriptive analysis were carried out and point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentages for binary data.

Results: Out of 254 undergraduate medical students, 88.58% (225) participants disagreed that pregnant women should rest only while 85.43% (217) agreed that every pregnant women should adapt prenatal exercises. About 93.37% (237) agreed that prenatal exercises are safe. About 76.38% (194%) participants agreed that prenatal exercises make normal delivery easier but only 55.12% (140) agreed that prenatal exercises prevents the aches of having CS. Almost all participants (99.2%) wanted to learn more about prenatal exercises.

Conclusions: The knowledge of medical undergraduates on prenatal exercises was found inadequate when compared to reported literatures.  However, the willingness of the participants to learn about it suggests programs and policies be formulated to incorporate prenatal exercises in medical curriculum and training.