The mean response for each individual question and mean domain scores were calculated for the whole sample (table 28) and the internal consistency within each domain was tested using Chronbach’s alpha (table 29).
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Table 28: Individual question mean scores
Knowledge Mean SD
1. I know what the recommendations are in the NICE guidelines, (Weight Management Before, During and After Pregnancy), regarding physical activity during pregnancy.
3.06 0.98
2. If obese women have not exercised prior to pregnancy they should not attempt to start during pregnancy.
3.89 0.62
3. It is acceptable for obese pregnant women who find physical activity difficult to rest and remain more sedentary during pregnancy.
4.30 0.66
4. Experts don’t really know if physical activity is beneficial or harmful for obese pregnant women.
3.75 0.62
5. Attending exercise classes is the only way obese pregnant women can meet activity recommendations.
3.42 0.76
Skills
6. I feel competent discussing activity levels with obese pregnant women.
3.21 1.03
7. I am able to implement the recommendations regarding physical activity and obese pregnant women.
2.91 0.86
8. I am trained to give obese pregnant women appropriate advice regarding physical activity in pregnancy.
2.23 0.87
Social Professional Role
9. It is part of my role as a midwife to advise obese
pregnant women about the appropriate type and amount of physical activity they should do during pregnancy.
3.97 0.65
10. It is part of my role as a midwife to discuss physical activity as part of routine ante-natal care with obese pregnant women.
3.98 0.63
11. It is the responsibility of the GP or Obstetrician to discuss physical activity with pregnant women.
3.16 0.90
Beliefs about capabilities
12. I find it easy to discuss activity levels with obese pregnant women.
152
13. I feel confident giving obese pregnant women advice about physical activity during pregnancy.
3.16 1.00
14. I feel optimistic that if I give physical activity advice to obese pregnant women they will follow it.
2.59 0.89
Beliefs about consequences
15. It is safe for obese pregnant women to try and follow the recommendations of at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity per day.
3.75 0.78
16. Obese pregnant women will feel guilty if I discuss physical activity with them but they find it difficult to be more active.
3.11 0.88
17. Advising obese women to be more physically active during pregnancy may put their baby at risk of harm.
4.06 0.64
18. It is beneficial for obese women to increase their
physical activity levels during pregnancy as it will reduce their risk of getting gestational diabetes.
3.77 0.82
19. It is beneficial for obese women to increase their
physical activity levels during pregnancy as it will reduce their chances of excessive weight gain.
3.97 0.65
Motivation and goals
20. I have more important things to discuss with obese women during ante-natal appointments than their physical activity levels.
3.32 0.83
21. I aim to discuss physical activity with obese pregnant women as part of my routine ante natal care.
3.47 0.74
22. I am keen to implement the guidelines regarding physical activity for obese pregnant women.
3.98 0.74 Memory, attention, decision process
23. I do not discuss PA with obese pregnant women because
I usually forget
3.69 0.85
I don’t really know what to advise. 3.34 1.02 24. If women are obese I am more likely to discuss physical
activity
2.92 0.89
25. I only discuss PA with obese women who ask me for advice about it.
3.25 0.93 Environment, context, resources
153 obese pregnant women.
27. If I have any questions regarding physical activity in obese pregnant women there is no one readily available to give me the support and answers I need.
2.63 1.00
28. If I had a leaflet to give to obese pregnant women I would feel more comfortable about discussing physical activity.
1.79 0.65 Social Influences
29. Other midwives in my NHS Trust do not discuss physical activity routinely with obese pregnant women.
2.69 0.68
30. Obese pregnant women expect me to discuss physical activity with them during pregnancy.
2.76 0.89
31. GP’s expect me to discuss physical activity with obese pregnant women.
3.24 0.80
32. Obstetricians expect me to discuss physical activity with obese pregnant women.
3.56 0.74 Emotion
33. I am more concerned about other pregnancy related issues than giving advice about physical activity to obese pregnant women.
3.09 0.86
34. I worry about making obese pregnant women anxious by advising them about activity.
3.21 0.99
35. I worry that discussing physical activity with obese pregnant women may harm my relationship with the woman.
3.33 0.94
36. I feel uncomfortable talking to women who are obese about their physical activity levels.
3.40 0.95 Behaviour Regulation
37. I have a clear plan of how to address physical activity issues with obese pregnant women.
2.76 0.83
38. I know when to address physical activity with obese pregnant women.
3.33 0.88
39. I have a clear plan of what to recommend to obese pregnant women regarding physical activity.
2.64 0.90
40. If I encounter a problem when discussing physical activity with obese pregnant women I know how to solve it.
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Table 29: Domain mean scores and Chronbach’s alpha
Domain Mean score (SD) Chronbach’s α
Knowledge 3.86 (0.40) 0.381
Skills 2.79 (0.74) 0.725
Social Professional role 3.71 (0.52) 0.473
Beliefs about
capabilities 2.94 (0.76) 0.676
Beliefs about
consequences 3.72 (0.42) 0.441
Motivation and goals 3.59 (0.58) 0.627
Memory, attention, decision process 3.32 (0.66) 0.683 Environment, context, resource 2.54 (0.58) 0.285* Social Influence 3.05 (0.53) 0.598 Emotion 3.26 (0.67) 0.681 Behaviour regulation 2.88 (0.48) 0.267
*α remains low, impossible to interpret or draw conclusions
The questions that were removed and the resulting effect on the domain means and alpha are presented in table 30. All subsequent analysis was carried out on this reduced set of questions.
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Table 30: Removal of questions to improve internal consistency of domain context
(Questions highlighted removed from further analysis, leaving new mean domain score and alpha.)
Knowledge mean (SD)
1. I know what the recommendations are in the NICE guidelines,
(Weight Management Before, During and After Pregnancy),
regarding30physical activity during pregnancy.
5. Attending exercise classes is the only way obese pregnant women can meet activity recommendations.
New Domain mean (SD) 3.98 (0.46) Domain α 0.576 Social Professional Role
9. It is the responsibility of the GP or Obstetrician to discuss physical activity with pregnant women.
New Domain mean 3.98 (0.57) Domain α 0.748 Beliefs about capabilities
12. I feel optimistic that if I give physical activity advice to obese pregnant women they will follow it.
New Domain mean 3.11 (0.94) Domain α 0.835 Beliefs about consequences
14. Obese pregnant women will feel guilty if I discuss physical activity with them but they find it difficult to be more active.
New Domain mean 3.88 (0.48) Domain α 0.564 Memory, attention, decision process
24. If women are obese I am more likely to discuss physical activity
New Domain mean 3.45 (0.75) Domain α 0.727 Environment, context, resources
28. If I had a leaflet to give to obese pregnant women I would feel more comfortable about discussing physical activity.
New Domain mean 2.92 (0.78) Domain α 0.380 Social Influences
29. Other midwives in my NHS Trust do not discuss physical activity routinely with obese pregnant women.
New Domain mean 3.18 (0.63) Domain α 0.641 Behaviour Regulation
40. If I encounter a problem when discussing physical activity with obese pregnant women I know how to solve it.
New Domain mean 2.90 (0.72) Domain α 0.769
156