Health Related Quality of Life of Pregnant Women and Associated Factors: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Objective: The objectives were to characterize the scientific production on Health-Related Quality of Life of pregnant women, identify the areas that are most affected during pregnancy and puerperal period and identify the instruments used to assess quality of life related to health in pregnant women. Methods: For the integrative review, 11 articles published from 2006 to 2013 in the PUBMED, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS and SCIELO were selected. Result: Data showed scarce publication from nursing professionals, prevalence of non-experimental studies conducted mainly in Brazil. The most commonly instruments used were the WHOQOL-BREF and SF-12. The presence of pain, nausea and vomiting, depression, low education, younger age and absence of partner negatively affect the quality of life of pregnant women. Practicing physical activity and being socially supported during pregnancy favour a better quality of life. In the domain of social relations, sexuality was the only affected facet. Conclusion: Gaps in the level of evidence considered weak were identified. We suggest bigger role of nurses in research on the subject so that there will be the development of effective interventions to support nursing practice and ensure quality care and consequently improve the quality of life of women in pregnancy and childbirth.

Assessment Scales, Associated Factors and the Quality of Life Score in Pregnant Women in Iran

“…The limited data available on the physical, psychological and social changes experienced by pregnant women indicates the need for a greater focus on the quality of life in this group of the population and the associated domains that can change (Calou et al, 2014). Given the importance of quality of life during pregnancy and its effect on maternal and neonatal health, the present study was designed to assess the quality of life in Iranian pregnant women and to identify its associated factors and the tools used for its assessment.…”

“…Women experience physical, chemical, endocrine gland and organ changes during pregnancy (Hama et al, 2008;Li et al, 2012) and also symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite, heartburn, hemorrhoids and shortness of breath (Makvandi & Etemadi Kermani, 2012). The complexity of pregnancy-related changes are not restricted to physical factors and psychosocial factors are also involved (Calou et al, 2014) and help limit women's activities and reduce their quality of life during this period (Forger, Ostensen, Schumacher, & Villiger, 2005;Hama et al, 2008;Ramírez-Vélez, 2011;Vachkova, Jezek, Mares, & Moravcova, 2013;Vallim et al, 2011).…”

Determination of Quality of Life and Affecting Factors in Pregnant Women

“…In our study, the average subscale scores in pregnant women with and withour risk was 33.50-48.65 for the physical role, 33.88-38.20 for the pain, and 42-52.75 for the emotional role, respectively. In the study of Sahsivar et al [10] and Calou et al [12], it was determined that the average physical function, mental health, social function and general health scores in the risky group were lower than those in the non-risk group. In Nansel et al's study [20], physical role, emotional role, social function average scores of pregnant women who were under risk due to premature birth threat were found to be lower than the normal pregnant women at the same age group.…”

“…For this reason, it is necessary to determine the risk factors that affect women's reactions to pregnancy and compliance [4,13,17,18]. [12], it was found that physical role and social function subscale scores were higher than other subscale scores. Chang et al [17] reported mental health average score as highest in pregnancy, Sonmezer et al [18] and Kartal and Sayiner [19] reported general health average score as highest in pregnancy.…”

“…In this respect, midwives and nurses have important responsibilities in monitoring and care of pregnant women, evaluation of health problems, identification of risky situations, advance referral and treatment, care and improvement of quality of life. When fulfilling these responsibilities and planning the care, the midwife/nurse needs to know what health problems the pregnant patients experienced and how these health problems affected their quality of life [12]. It is also stated that the birth of pregnant women with low quality of life in pregnancy may be adversely affected and the possibility of low birth weight infant may increase [13,14].…”