Assessment of the Pregnant Women's Self-Efficacy for ‎Maintaining a Healthy Weight during Pregnancy‎

Abstract

Objective(s): To assess the pregnant women's self-efficacy for maintaining weight during pregnancy.

Method(s): A descriptive study design was conducted in Mosul city for the period from July 2^nd, 2022 to November 7^th, 2022. A non-probability (convenience) sample was selected from (532) pregnant women who attended the primary health care centers. A questionnaire was developed through review of relevant literature, and consists of two parts namely: participant socio-demographic characteristics, and self-efficacy of pregnant women in relation to physical activity and healthy eating habits and behaviors to assess self-efficacy of pregnant women. The data was collected through the use of the study tool and the interview technique. The data was analyzed using the SPSS program, version (26), applying the descriptive approach to data analysis. 

Results: The results of the study showed that (31.8%) of pregnant women were aged between (26-30) years, (84.02%) of them lived in the city, (68.80%) were housewives, more than half of pregnant women lived in their own homes (57.89%). The study also showed that more than half of pregnant women were overweight during pregnancy at a rate of (68.3%), and (44.18%) of them consumed unhealthy food.

Conclusions: The study showed that most of pregnant women suffer from overweight and obesity during pregnancy, as they do not practice daily physical activity, and follow an unhealthy food.

Recommendations: The study recommended the need to develop educational programs about the importance of exercise, healthy nutrition, and the risks of gain weight during pregnancy.