Knowledge of the Effect of Regular Pelvic Floor Exercises on Maternal Health Among Women of Reproductive Age
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives Of Study
The general objective of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of the effect of regular pelvic floor exercises on maternal health among women of reproductive age. The following specific objectives were formulated for the study;
- To investigate the level of women’s knowledge on the effect of pelvic floor exercises on maternal health of women of reproductive age in Benue State
- To analyse women’s views and perception of the effects of pelvic floor exercises on their maternal health in Benue State
- To assess the positive and negative effects of pelvic floor exercises on women’s maternal health in Benue State
- To assess the practice level of exercises by women of reproductive age in Benue State in a bid to increase maternal health.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The Concept of Maternal and Child Health Care
Maternal and child health encompasses the health of women of child-bearing age from pre-pregnancy, through pregnancy, labour, and delivery, and the postpartum period and the health of the child prior to birth through adolescence (James, Robert & Jerome, 2008). The World Health Organization (2003) defined maternal and child health care as promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health care for mothers throughout the child bearing period and for children from conception through adolescence. Annet (2004) defined maternal and child health care as the care that aims at ensuring a healthy mother and baby throughout pregnancy and child birth. According to Annet (2004), it involves the screening of patients, and the treatment of diseases, as well as the identification and management of pregnancy related complications, care of the new-born baby and providing information about family planning and how and when to access medical care when complications arise. Bichi (2007) defined maternal and child health care as the care given to a woman and the child right from conception through infancy and childhood.
Every society, whether developed or developing, recognizes the importance of the health needs and problems of women and their children from birth to adolescence. For this reason both pregnant and lactating mothers and their children are given special status in the society (Bichi, 2007). Around the world people celebrate the birth of a new baby, society expects women to bear children and honour them for their role as mothers. Yet pregnancy and childbirth is a perilous journey. In developing countries, more than half a million mothers die from cases related to this life-giving event each year while several others have other related health problems still during pregnancy, childbirth and lactation (Ransom and Yinger, 2002). Women are the main victims of malnutrition and the additional biological demands during menstruation, pregnancy and lactation have made nutritional deficiencies the most widespread and disabling health problems among them. Therefore, the women folk deserve adequate attention hence maternal and child healthcare service was initiated (Bichi, 2007).
According to Sumithra, et al (2006) maternal and child health (MCH) services are essentially promotive. They provide avenues for the early detection of mothers and infants at high risk of morbidity and mortality. The MCH care services generally begin with solving the problems of individual mothers and their children and extend to solving the problems of all individual members of the family within the larger community. Therefore, it generally covers the problems of mothering and parenthood. The programme is meant to ensure that every pregnant woman and nursing mother maintains good health, learns the art of child care, has a normal delivery, and bear healthy children, who should grow up in a family unit, with love and security in a healthy environment, well-nourished with adequate medical attention and socialization (Bichi, 2007). The objectives of maternal and child health care services as reported by Bamaneh (2004) include:
- Reduction of morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable group.
- Promotion of physical and emotional development of children.
- Ensuring that every mother has access to health services to maintain good health during pregnancy.
- Preparing every mother physically and psychologically to take care of her child.
- Ensuring that every mother goes through professional care delivery.
- Ensuring that every mother bears a healthy child.
- Ensuring that the child grows in a healthy environment.
- Ensuring that the child receives proper nutrition.
- Ensuring adequate protection of the child from diseases.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Ex-post facto research design was used in this study as the independent variable had already existed. A cross-sectional survey research method was used in this design. According to Bless and Higson-Smith (2000), a cross-sectional survey design offers information about a population at a given point in time. It also allows the collection of information, opinions and perceptions from a relatively large number of subjects to allow generalizations to be made. The research design and method are therefore considered appropriate for this study as it was intended to gain immediate knowledge and informant on the knowledge of the effect of regular pelvic floor exercises on maternal health among women of reproductive age in Benue State.
Population of the Study
The study population comprised of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Benue State. The estimated population was five hundred and eighteen thousand (518,000) (Census, 2006).
Sample and Sampling Technique
The total sample used in this study comprised one hundred and ninety four (194) women of child-bearing age from the sampled local government areas. This sample size was determined using the formula for single population proportion (Julie, 2004).
To select the required sample, stratified random sampling and convenience sampling techniques were used. In these techniques, Benue State was stratified into three senatorial zones. From each of these zones, two Local Government Areas were randomly selected. The sampling procedure involved simple random sampling technique using the hat-drawn sampling method to select two Local Government Areas from each of the three senatorial zones in Benue State. These include, Katsina Ala, Vandeikya (Zone A), Gboko, Makurdi (Zone B) and Ogbadibo, Otukpo (Zone C). The names of Local Government Areas in Each Senatorial Zone were written on slips of paper. The slips were then folded and put in a container. After thorough reshuffling, the researcher randomly hand-picked one slip at a time. The slip was unfolded and the Local Government area it contained was recorded. This process was repeated until the required number of Local Government Areas was drawn in each of the senatorial zones. Table 3.3.1 shows the three senatorial zones in Benue State, the Local Government Areas sampled, and sample size of childbearing women used.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND FINDINGS
Table 1 shows the demographic characteristics of respondents. More than half of the respondents were aged 30 years and above (53.6%), most had tertiary education (46.4%), two to four pregnancies (58.6%) and were housewives (30.4%).
Table 3 above shows that 80.0 per cent of pregnant women aged 30 years and above and 78.2 per cent of those aged less that 30 years demonstrated positive attitude towards pelvic floor exercise. However, the table shows an overall chi-square of 10.749 with a corresponding p-value of .105 which is greater than .05 at 3 degrees of freedom. Therefore, the null hypothesis of no significant difference in the attitude of pregnant women towards pelvic floor exercise is not rejected. This implies that attitude of pregnant women was the same among those aged below 30 years and those 30 years and above.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
The present study investigated the attitude of pregnant women towards pelvic floor exercise in Benue state. Pelvic floor exercise was described to be very necessary in the health of pregnant women and their foetus. The present study revealed that majority of pregnant women had positive attitude to pelvic floor exercise. No significant difference existed in the attitude based on age while significant differences existed in attitudes based on level of education, parity and occupation.
Recommendations
- There should be regular health education classes during antenatal sessions on the importance, benefits and contraindication to pelvic floor exercise for pregnant women by health educators and other health care workers in the antenatal clinics.
- Exercise classes for instance pelvic floor exercise, breathing exercise, aerobics and indoor stationary cycling should be conducted for all childbearing women irrespective of parity, occupation or level of education. This is to improve their knowledge and influence their attitude towards pelvic floor exercise.
- This study is an eye opener on what the attitude of pregnant women on pelvic floor exercise in the study area could be. Due to the benefits accruing from exercise in pregnancy, it is important to explore further on the perceived barriers to pelvic floor exercise among this group of people so as to propose possible solution that will lead to appropriate behaviour change which is the main aim of health education.
References
- Abugu, L. I., Abbah, O. I., Ekong, I. E., Echezona, B., Ugwu. S. U., & Ejeh, V. J. (2016). Physical Activity Practices among Pregnant Women in a Health District in Benue state. International Journal of Scientific Innovation and Sustainable Development 6(1),196-204.
- Dignon, A. & Reddingnon, A. (2013). The physical effect of exercise in pregnancy on pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, birth weight and type of delivery. Evidence Based Midwifery. Retrieved from https://www.rcm.org.uk/learning-and-career/learning-and-research/ebm-articles/the-physical-effect-of-exercise-in-pregnancy
- Down, S. D., Chasan-Taber, L., Evenson K. R., Leiferman, J., & Yeo, S.(2012). Physical Activity and Pregnancy: Past and Present Evidence and Future Recommendations. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sports, 83(4) 485-502.
- Duncombe, D., Wertheim, E. H., Skouteris, H., Paxton, S. J., Kelly, L. (2007). Factors related to exercise over the course of pregnancy including women’s beliefs about the safety of exercise during pregnancy. Midwifery.25:430–438. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2007.03.002.
- Evenson, K. R. & Wen, E. (2010). National trends in self reported physical activity and sedentary behaviour among pregnant women NHANES 1999-2006. Preventive Medicine. 50, 123-128.
