[Factors affecting maternal physical activities: an analysis based on the structural equation modeling].

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Maternal physical activity is vital for a healthy pregnancy.
• Understanding factors influencing exercise in pregnant women is essential for targeted interventions.
• Existing research highlights varied physical activity levels across pregnancy trimesters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the factors influencing maternal physical activities during different pregnancy stages.
• To investigate the role of attitude, subjective norms, and behavioral intention on exercise.
• To identify areas for improving physical activity recommendations for pregnant individuals.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing self-designed questionnaires.
• Involved 650 women in the first trimester, 650 in the second, and 750 in the third.
• Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analyzed relationships between latent variables (attitude, norm, behavioral intention, behavior).

Main Results:

• Pregnant women reported sedentary behavior, with higher exercise intensity linked to less duration.
• Behavioral intention (β=0.372) directly impacted physical activity.
• Attitude (β=0.140) and subjective norms (β=0.669) indirectly influenced physical activity via behavioral intention.

Conclusions:

• Pregnant women exhibit inadequate physical activity levels in terms of time and intensity.
• Subjective norms significantly influence maternal physical activity by shaping attitudes and behavioral intentions.
• Health education targeting caregivers is recommended to promote appropriate physical activity during pregnancy.