Impact of Supportive Efforts on the Quality of Life of Primiparous Women in the First Six Weeks after Delivery

Women experience physiological، psychological and social changes in the postpartum period which may influence their quality of life. Postpartum supportive measures include: the facilities of daily care at home to the networks of health care from possible factors influencing the quality of life. This study aimed to determine the effect of supportive efforts on the quality of life of primiparous women in the first six weeks after delivery. This cross-sectional study was held on 52 eligible primiparous women who referred to Shiraz health care centers in 2010. The participants who had including criteria were randomly allocated to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received emotional- informational supports through home visit and telephone follow-up. The control group received routine cares of health centers. The quality of life in two groups was compared by Specific Postnatal Quality of life questionnaire at the first and sixth weeks. Data were analyzed by using Chi-square and independent t-test. P value less than 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Results showed a significant difference between the mean score of quality of life pre-and post-intervention between the two groups (P<0. 05). This difference in the experimental group was more than that in the control group. Also، this difference in the 5 dimensions of quality of life (mother''s feeling about herself، baby، spouse، sexual activity، and health) in the experimental group was more than the control group and statistically significantly difference (P<0. 05). The results showed that postpartum protective measure is an effective method for improving the quality of life in primiparous women. So، health care providers'' focus on this important issue is mostly required.