The relationship between Minor Ailments of Pregnancy and Quality of life in pregnant women

Abstract

Introduction: Physical and psychological changes during pregnancy lead to changes in pregnant mother's health behaviors and life style and has effects on physical, psychological and social health and eventually on her quality of life in different stages of pregnancy . This study was done with aim to determine the relationship between quality of life and minor ailments of pregnancy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 199 pregnant women referred to health centers of Birjand University of Medical Sciences in 2014. Data collection tools included: researcher-made questionnaire consisting of demographic and midwifery information, minor ailments of pregnancy questionnaire, and shorted version of the quality of life standard questionnaire (SF-26). Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 16) and using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis. PResults: The mean of overall satisfaction of life was 68.84±16.75 and the mean score of pregnant mothers' common complaints was 38.12±9.1. The most common complaint was related to fatigue (82.3%). Also, the results of Pearson correlation coefficient showed significant reverse correlation between minor ailments of pregnancy and the score of overall satisfaction of life (r = -0.34, p < 0.001), the score of physical (r = -0.425, p < 0.001), mental (r = -0.239, p < 0.001), social (r = -0.228, p = 0.002) and environmental (r = -0.161, p = 0.04) areas. The results of linear regression model showed that social support had positive effect on quality of life. So that mean score of quality of life in a group with average support was about 8 unit and in a group with high support was 11 unit more than a group with low level of support (p < 0.001). Also, with increasing pregnant mothers' common complaints, the mean score of quality of life decreased as 0.57 unit that was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of ailments during pregnancy has a remarkable effect on pregnant women's quality of life. So, the health workers' attention to these complaints and planning for care and health measurements for control and support of others can be effective on pregnant women's quality of life.

Keywords

• minor ailments of pregnancy
• pregnant women
• quality of life