Title: Perceptions and Experiences of Physical Activity in Pregnant Women Living in Low-Income Ger Areas of Mongolia
Supervisors: Dr. Mark Beauchamp
Committee members: Dr. Erica Bennett, Dr. Eli Puterman
Abstract:
Physical activity during pregnancy is influenced by many factors, yet prior research on factors that contribute to, or thwart, physical activity engagement during this life stage has primarily been conducted in Western, high-income countries. The purpose of the current study is to examine the experiences and perceptions of physical activity amongst pregnant Mongolian women living in low-income areas of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Considering the unique sociocultural contexts and environmental challenges faced by these Mongolian pregnant women (e.g., air pollution, extreme weather, and lack of infrastructure), in the proposed study I will examine factors at multiple levels (intrapersonal, sociocultural environment, physical environment, information environment, and policy environment) with respect to how they potentially contribute to the experiences and perceptions of physical activity in this population. Semi-structured interviews with 10-12 pregnant Mongolian women living in low-income areas of Ulaanbaatar will be conducted in Mongolian, ensuring cultural sensitivity. The transcripts will be coded in Mongolian, subsequently translated into English, and further analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The significance of this research lies in its potential to expand our understanding of physical activity during pregnancy within a unique sociocultural and environmental context, shedding light on the experiences of pregnant women with notable economic and environmental challenges. The findings derived from this study have the potential to meaningfully contribute to the provision of tailored initiatives, policies, and interventions to promote physical activity and maternal health in non-Western developing countries.