Pramwalking as postnatal exercise and support: an evaluation of the Stroll Your Way To Well-Being program and supporting resources in terms of individual participation rates and community group formation.
Stroll Your Way To Well Being is a community pramwalking program designed to increase access by mothers to sociable postnatal exercise. This study evaluated the program in terms of long-term adherence rates by mothers to walking, and the effectiveness of kits distributed to providers in assisting them to set up their own groups. Approximately one quarter of information kit recipients established a pramwalking group. Reasons for non-initiation included lack of time or a perceived lack of priority. Mothers reported program benefits to be the opportunity to exercise, socialize and share information about baby issues. 70% of mothers were still walking 16 months after the program's commencement. Reasons for mothers ceasing participation in pramwalking included lack of interest, no group leader available or their baby was too old. Future studies need to focus on the prevention and treatment of postnatal depression through exercise.
Currie
J
J
School of Human Movement Australian Catholic University, 40 Edward St, North Sydney, NSW 2060. J.Currie@mackillop.acu.edu.au
Boxer
E
E
Devlin
E
E
D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015370:Infant Equipment; D009517:New South Wales; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D010358:Patient Participation; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016138:Walking