https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4419-3804
Abstract
Background
It is generally accepted that pregnancy and childbirth are natural physiological processes. However, these significantly affect the quality of mothers’ lives. Little is known about the level of quality-of-life and associated factors among postpartum women in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area.
Methods
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 409 randomly selected post-partum women who were living in Arba Minch town. Systematic random sampling was employed to select the study participants. The standard quality-of-life assessment tool which is known as the short-form SF 36 tool was used to assess health-related quality-of-life. The logistic regression model was used to identify associated factors. Statistically significant variables at a p-value<0.25 in the bi-variable analysis were candidate variables for multi-variable analysis and statistical significance which was declared at a p-value<0.05.
Results
Among the study participants, 255 (62.3%) had lower level health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL). About 46.2% of the study participants had lower physical HRQoL and about 79% of the study participants had lower mental HRQoL. The overall mean score of HRQoL was 45.15 (±8.13). Factors associated with lower overall HRQoL were age group 17–24 years (AOR=2.73, 95% CI=1.22–6.10), no formal education [AOR 2.02, 95% CI (1.05–3.89)], and cesarean delivery (AOR=0.49, 95% CI=0.24–0.97). A factor associated with lower physical HRQoL was cesarean delivery (AOR=0.34, 95% CI=0.13–0.88). Factors associated with lower mental HRQoL were age group 17–24 (AOR=3.37, 95% CI=1.60–7.04), not receiving antenatal care (AOR=3.65, 95% CI=1.45–9.16), and having postpartum depression (AOR=2.27, 95% CI=1.30–3.93).
Conclusion
The results suggest that the majority of post-partum women had a lower HRQoL, particularly women’s mental health was compromised. In this study, a suggestion is made that the respective bodies need to give particular attention to mothers during the post-partum period to prevent poor quality-of-life.
Data Sharing Statement
The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
Ethical Consideration
Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Research Ethics Review Board (IRB) of Arba Minch University. Before the fieldwork, necessary communications about the overall purpose of the study were made with the town administrative bodies. Verbal assent was taken (for those aged <18) and permission was taken from families or health professionals if families are not available and written consent was taken (for those age 18 and above); after explaining the purpose of the study, the harm and the benefit, the confidentiality, and the rights of the subjects. To maintain confidentiality, no personal identifiers were used on data collection forms and the recorded data were not accessed by a third person, except the principal investigators. All recommended COVID-19 prevention measures were applied to protect the data. The suspected cases were linked with the nearby health facility COVID-19 task forces. Besides, this study was conducted following the Declaration of Helsinki, and all ethical and professional considerations were followed throughout the study to keep participants’ data strictly confidential.
Acknowledgment
First and foremost, we would like to thank Arba Minch University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Public Health for providing us the opportunity to prepare this research. My deepest gratitude goes to the study participants, data collectors, and Arba Minch town health bureau staffs for their unreserved cooperation.
Author Contributions
All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising, or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors declare no conflicts of interest for this work and that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.