ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to investigate the Awareness of the Benefit of Exercise among Pregnant Women at Oluku Primary Heealthcare Centre, Benin City, Edo State. The study to examine the perception of pregnant women in Oluku Primary Healthcare Centre Benin City, Edo State on the benefits of exercise during pregnancy, to examine the importance and benefits of exercise among pregnant women and lastly to identify the outcome of exercise among pregnant women.
A Survey research design was adopted for the study, the population was 115 registered pregnant women at Oluku PHC and a simple random sampling technique was used in selecting 80 respondents to represent the total population for the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire of 15 items. The responses of the respondents were analyzed using frequency counts and percentage.
The following were found during the course of the analysis. It was found that; the benefits of regular exercises on pregnant women helps to prevent overweight, easy delivery, prevents gestational diabetes and helps for easy blood circulation, pregnant women at Oluku Primary Healthcare Centre Benin City were properly aware of the benefits of regular exercise, lastly the pregnant women were fully aware of the health benefits associated with regular exercises. It was recommended that; women should be careful when planning to engage in these activities (exercise), mainly when starting only during pregnancy, attention should also be paid in avoiding exercise in supine position during the second half of pregnancy in order to prevent hypotension and avoid the Valsalva maneuver throughout the pregnancy, women should start with 15 min of exercise three times a week and gradually increase to 30 min four times a week at low-to moderate intensity.
