The Relationship Between The Implementation of Pregnancy Exercises and the Level of Anxiety of Pregnant Women in the 3rd Trimester at the Malingkau Public Health Center

Abstract

Background: Anxiety in the third trimester of pregnancy is a common mental health problem that can negatively impact both maternal and fetal health. At Palingkau Community Health Center, the prevalence of anxiety in pregnant women reached 35%, higher than the national average of 30%. Prenatal exercise is believed to be a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce anxiety in pregnant women. Objective: This study aims to analyze the relationship between the application of pregnancy exercises and the anxiety levels of pregnant women in the third trimester at Palingkau Community Health Center. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach. The study population was all third-trimester pregnant women who underwent prenatal check-ups at the Palingkau Community Health Center between January and March 2023. The study sample consisted of 30 respondents selected using a purposive sampling technique. The research instruments were a demographic characteristics questionnaire and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) to measure anxiety levels. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test with a significance level of α = 0.05. Results: The results of the study showed that of the 15 pregnant women who did prenatal exercises, 73.3% experienced mild anxiety, 20% moderate anxiety, and 6.7% severe anxiety. Meanwhile, of the 15 pregnant women who did not do prenatal exercises, only 20% experienced mild anxiety, 53.3% moderate anxiety, and 26.7% severe anxiety. The Chi-Square test showed a p value = 0.013 (p < 0.05), which means there is a significant relationship between the implementation of prenatal exercises and the level of anxiety of pregnant women in the third trimester. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between the implementation of prenatal exercise and the anxiety levels of pregnant women in the third trimester at the Palingkau Community Health Center. Pregnant women who regularly perform prenatal exercise tend to have lower anxiety levels. Prenatal exercise can be an effective intervention in managing anxiety in pregnant women and should be integrated into antenatal care programs.