Factors That Interfere in the Quality of Life Related to the Health of Women in the Postpartum Period in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Objective to analyze the sociodemographic, obstetric, type of delivery and professional factors that provided care that can influence the quality of life related to women's health in the immediate puerperium period. Method cross-sectional, correlational study conducted in a reference maternity hospital, with 272 women in the immediate puerperium period hospitalized in the rooming-in accommodation. A sociodemographic, clinical and obstetric questionnaire and the Short Form Health Survey-36 scale were used to assess health-related quality of life. Results regarding age, there was a significant association in the domains functional capacity and general status, with better scores for ages up to 29 years. Regarding education, significance was observed in the functional capacity domain with better scores for 9 to 11 years of schooling. The analysis of obstetric complications showed statistical significance in the general health status domain p<0.05. By correlating the type of delivery and the attending professional, the mean scores showed that the domains limitation due to physical aspects, pain, vitality, social aspects, limitations due emotional aspects and mental health presented higher means for normal delivery performed by nurses, with statistical significance in the domains: pain (p<0.05), vitality (p<0.05) and mental health (p=0.05). Conclusion these analyzed factors interfere in the quality of life of women in the postpartum period. Thus, considering these questions provides complementary information to the use of the Short Form Health Survey-36, highlighting areas that need greater attention and that can be worked on even in prenatal care.

Mental Health of Mothers After Natural Childbirth and Cesarean Section: A Comparative Study in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

“…In the same context, another study with 150 of Egyptian women (75 with natural childbirth and 75 with caesarean section) women also revealed the same results, supporting the current one and estimated better QOL among women with a natural childbirth as compared to women with cesarean section 27 . Another research with 272 women in the initial postpartum period in the state of Piauí, northeastern Brazil, evaluated the QOL of women in the postpartum period and the professional that provided the care showed that the average of mental health of women after normal delivery performed by nurses was higher when compared with the normal delivery performed by doctors (75,86), with statistical significant (p=0,005) 28 .…”