Body Image and Health-Related Quality of Life of Nigerian Nulligravid, Pregnant, and Postpartum Women

Pregnancy-related changes in women’s body shape and size predisposes to negative body image. However, the nexus between pregnancy-related body image and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is still controvertible. This study assessed the relationship between body image and HRQoL among Nigerian nulligravid, pregnant, and postpartum women. 385 women volunteered for this cross-sectional study between November 2016 and January 2017 from two selected clinics in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Body image was assessed using the Body Attitude Questionnaire (BAQ) and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), respectively. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-12 questionnaire. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics including Chi-square test was used to test the associations between body image and HRQoL in pregnant and postpartum women. Alpha level was set at P<0.05. Body attitude satisfaction and pregnancy-related women status was significantly associated with respect to abdomen (P=0.021) and genitalia (P=0.005). Postpartum women were most satisfied with their abdomen (95.2%). There was significant correlation between BAQ score and health perception (P=0.001), emotional functioning (P=0.001), and mental health (P=0.040) scales of the SF-12. There was significant correlation between BSQ score and bodily pain (P=0.020), health perception (P=0.001),and emotional functioning (P=0.003) scales of the SF-12. Postpartum women had better body attitude and body shape perception than their pregnant and non-pregnant counterparts. Body attitude is related to HRQoL in non-pregnant, pregnant and postpartum women. Body shape perception is only correlated with bodily pain, health perception and emotional functioning scales of the HRQoL.