Abstract
BackgroundBecause of their frequent, regular contact with antenatal mothers, healthcare providers play an important role in promoting the health benefits of antenatal exercise. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an antenatal-exercise counseling module on knowledge and self-efficacy of staff nurses.MethodsA quasi-experimental design was conducted. The intervention and control groups consisted of 66 nurses randomly selected from the Tumpat and Pasir Mas districts, respectively, in Kelantan. The intervention group received an antenatal-exercise counseling module, and the control group performed counseling based on self-reading. Knowledge and self-efficacy were assessed at the baseline and at week 4. Analysis of variance and repeated measure analysis of covariance were performed using SPSS.ResultsThere was a significant difference in the knowledge scores [estimated marginal mean (95% confidence interval, CI): 33.9 (33.29, 34.53) versus 27.4 (26.52, 28.29); P < 0.001)] and the self-efficacy scores [estimated marginal mean (95% CI): 31.3 (30.55, 32.03) versus 27.4 (26.03, 28.74); P = 0.005)] between intervention and control groups at week 4 after adjusting for duration of practice and formal training.ConclusionThe antenatal-exercise counseling module is recommended for use in routine counseling in health centers to promote healthy lifestyles among pregnant women.
Highlights
Physical exercise is beneficial to the general population because it promotes good physical health
Nurses from health centres in Pasir Mas were selected as the control group whereas nurses from Tumpat were selected as the intervention group
The present study found that the module produced a significant improvement in nurses’ knowledge of antenatal-exercise counseling
Summary
Physical exercise is beneficial to the general population because it promotes good physical health. Exercise is believed to have similar benefits for expectant mothers and is believed to pose no risks to maternal or foetal health [1]. Pregnant women are encouraged to engage in aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises before, during and after pregnancy [2]. Pregnant women benefit from exercises that strengthen the abdominal muscles, pelvic floor, buttock, and thigh muscles, which are effective in preventing and reducing backaches during pregnancy [3]. To accommodate anatomical and physiological changes in pregnant women, some modification of routine exercise activity is necessary. Because of their frequent, regular contact with antenatal mothers, healthcare providers play an important role in promoting the health benefits of antenatal exercise. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an antenatal-exercise counseling module on knowledge and self-efficacy of staff nurses
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