Women’s perceptions of physical activity during pregnancy v1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  An exploration of women’s perceptions of physical activity during pregnancy

• IRAS ID

  223040

• Contact name

  Mzwandile Mabhala, FRSM, FRSPH

• Contact email

  a.mabhala@chester.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Chester

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 11 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  This qualitative study entitled “An exploration of women’s perceptions of physical activity during pregnancy” seeks to answer the research question “What factors encourage or discourage pregnant women to undertake physical activity?” Despite guidelines recommending that pregnant women partake in physical activity, research suggests that less than a third of pregnant women meet the recommendations. This suggests that the potential benefits of physical activity during pregnancy are not being optimised. However, it is unclear how, or if, this advice is received by pregnant women and what their perceptions and experiences of physical activity are. A deeper understanding of these issues could have a significant impact on current knowledge and subsequently shape improvements in practice interventions to benefit pregnant women in the future.
  This study proposes to undertake qualitative interviews with a purposeful sample of 5-10 pregnant women, inclusion criteria aged 18 or over and over 11 weeks gestation. The sample will be recruited through antenatal clinic at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital. Participant information sheets will be given out by the Research Midwife or the student researcher and posters will be displayed in the clinic. The researcher will be present in the clinic and available to discuss with those interested in finding out more about the research project. Consenting participants will take part in one to one recorded interviews at the hospital once they have had time to consider taking part. The participant’s involvement will be entirely voluntary and will involve one interview arranged on the same day as their attendance in antenatal clinic or at a later date if more convenient to them. This study is part of a Master’s dissertation and is not funded, but sponsored by the University of Chester.

• REC name

  London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  17/LO/2012

• Date of REC Opinion

  30 Nov 2017

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion