PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PERCEIVED HEALTH OF PREGNANT WOMEN IN ODUKPANI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate physical activity and perceived health of pregnant
women in hard- to-reached areas communities in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River
State, Nigeria. To achieve this purpose, two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A
detailed review of related literature was carried out based on the variables of the study. Survey
research design was employed for the study. A sample of 342 was used for the study. Simple random
sampling technique was adopted in selecting the twenty-two communities while systematic random
sampling technique was adopted in selecting the three hundred and forty (342) respondents used for
the study. Twenty items four-point scale questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection.
The instrument was validated by relevant authority one expert in department of Health Education and
Promotion and two others in Measurement and Evaluation. To test the hypotheses formulated for the
study, Pearson product moment correlation statistical tool was used for data analysis. The findings
obtained from analysis of data and testing of hypotheses in the study revealed that there was a
significant relationship between swimming, walking, and perceived health of pregnant women in the
study area. Based on these findings it was recommended that relevant authorities should ensure that
more women are sensitized on the need to participate actively in walking activities in order to improve
their health during pregnancy.