ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2016
"Just because you're pregnant, doesn't mean you're sick!" A qualitative study of beliefs regarding physical activity in black South African women.
Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
24 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Women's experiences of discussing health behaviours within their maternity care: a systematic review and meta-synthesis.Reproductive health · 2026Pooled it
- Reimagining prenatal physical activity and exercise as potential therapeutic strategy in promoting maternal health.Pakistan journal of medical sciences · 2026Article
- Physical activity levels and their multilevel determinants in pregnant women screened for contraindications: a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Exploring Factors Influencing Physical Inactivity During the First Trimester of Pregnancy: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study.Nursing open · 2025Article
- Healthcare providers' antenatal physical exercise counseling practice and its associated factors in Southwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.BMC health services research · 2025Article
- Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Antenatal Exercise among Pregnant Women in Kuala Selangor.The Malaysian journal of medical sciences : MJMS · 2025Article
- What social media analyses can tell us about Ghanaian women's concerns during pregnancy.Frontiers in digital health · 2025Article
- Predictors of physical activity among pregnant women in Harare, Zimbabwe.PLOS global public health · 2025Article
- Perceptions, attitudes and beliefs on antenatal exercises among primiparous pregnant women: a qualitative study in Sri Lanka.BMJ open · 2024Article
- Qualitative study of practices and attitudes towards physical activity among prediabetic men and women in urban and rural Malawi.BMJ open · 2023Article
- Antenatal physical exercise level and its associated factors among pregnant women in Hawassa city, Sidama Region, Ethiopia.PloS one · 2023Article
- Uncovering Barriers to Prenatal Physical Activity and Exercise Among South African Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional, Mixed-Method Analysis.Frontiers in public health · 2022Article
- Development and Validation of Prenatal Physical Activity Intervention Strategy for Women in Buffalo City Municipality, South Africa.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Article
- Baby Steps: Using Intervention Mapping to Develop a Sustainable Perinatal Physical Activity Healthcare Intervention.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- Physical Activity Advice and Counselling by Healthcare Providers: A Scoping Review.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Article
- Physical Activity in Pregnancy: Beliefs, Benefits, and Information-Seeking Practices of Pregnant Women in South Africa.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2021Article
- Article
- Physical activity and exercise during pregnancy in Africa: a review of the literature.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2020Review
- Physical Activity Level during Pregnancy in South Africa: A Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2020Article
- Developing a Physical Activity Intervention Strategy for Pregnant Women in Buffalo City Municipality, South Africa: A Study Protocol.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundDespite the benefits of physical activity during pregnancy, the physiological and psychological changes that occur during this unique period may put women at greater risk of being sedentary. Lifestyle and environmental transitions have left black South African women at increased risk of physical inactivity and associated health risks. Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study was to describe the beliefs regarding physical activity during pregnancy in an urban African population.
methodsSemi-structured interviews (n = 13) were conducted with pregnant black African women during their third trimester. Deductive thematic analysis was completed based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Coding and analysis was completed with the assistance of ATLAS.ti software.
resultsParticipants had a mean age of 28 (19-41) years, and a mean BMI of 30 (19.6-39.0) kg/m(2). Although the majority of women believed that physical activity was beneficial, this did not appear to translate into behaviour. Reported reasons for this included barriers such as pregnancy-related discomforts, lack of time, money and physical activity related education, all of which can contribute to a reduced perceived control to become active. Opportunities to participate in group exercise classes was a commonly reported facilitator for becoming active. In addition, influential role players, such as family, friends and healthcare providers, as well as cultural beliefs, reportedly provided the women with vague, conflicting and often discouraging advice about physical activity during pregnancy.
conclusionsThis study provides new theoretical insight on the beliefs of urban South African pregnant women regarding physical activity. Findings from this study suggest a holistic approach to improve physical activity compliance during pregnancy, inclusive of physical activity education and exercise opportunities within a community setting. This study presents critical formative work upon which contextually and culturally sensitive interventions can be developed.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.