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Abstract

Physical activity during pregnancy is influenced by many factors. Balanced against the accumulated evidence on the topic to date, prior research on factors that contribute to, or thwart, physical activity engagement during this important life stage has primarily been conducted in Western, high-income countries. The purpose of the study was to examine the experiences and perceptions of physical activity among pregnant Mongolian women living in low-income areas of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Considering the unique sociocultural contexts and environmental challenges faced by Mongolian pregnant women (e.g., air pollution, extreme weather, and lack of infrastructure), I sought to 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 pregnant Mongolian women living in low-income areas of Ulaanbaatar were conducted in Mongolian, and were designed to ensure cultural sensitivity. The transcripts were coded in Mongolian, translated into English, and subsequently analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes (and 17 subthemes) were developed through reflexive thematic analysis. These included: (1) Pregnant Mongolian women’s perceptions of physical activity, (2) A battle against the barriers: The realities of pregnant Mongolian women in the Ger areas, (3) Worry as a double-edged sword: A barrier and a driver of physical activity during pregnancy, and (4) Fueled by resilience and desire: Navigating barriers and seeking opportunities for better health and physical activity. When taken together, participants described facing a range of barriers with regard to living in Ger areas as a pregnant woman. These barriers often limited their ability to be as active as they would like. While determination and resilience were key to staying active, participants noted that with certain improvements, pregnant women could achieve better health and greater participation in physical activity. 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.