Authors:

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with compliance to a course of exercises administered for a selected group of primigravida mothers in second trimester.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional and qualitative study performed at a Medical Officer of Health area in Kegalle district. Study population was a group of postnatal mothers who had taken part in the course of exercises from second trimester, for a period of 16 weeks. Sample size was 138 postnatal mothers. Study instruments were a self-administered questionnaire to obtain baseline data, psychological state and compliance to exercises, a diary and an interviewer administered questionnaire for views of husband and household members.

Results: There were statistically significant associations between maternal age being less than or equal to 30 years and increase regularity of exercises (p<0.05), levels of education of husbands and the exercise regularity of pregnant mothers (p<0.05) and absence of physical symptoms and increase participation in regular exercises (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant association (p>0.05) between psychological distress status at six weeks postpartum and exercise regularity. There was a statistically significant association (p<0.05) between regularity of exercise and reduced presentation of depression at six weeks postpartum. Lethargy (41%), tiredness (20%), lack of time (16%), lack of privacy (13%) and absence of husband (11%) were reasons for not carrying out exercises regularly. Encouragement and motivation by family members (38%), husband (33%) and Public Health Midwife (27%) and feeling of good health after doing exercises (20%) were the main factors which helped a mother to carry out exercise regularly.

 Conclusions: Younger age, absence of physical symptoms and absence of depressive symptoms is significantly associated with regularity of exercises as opposed to irregularity

Keywords: Antenatal, Compliance, Exercises, Physical, Psychological