Abstract:
The birth of a new baby is an important event in the life of a woman that requires some
physical and emotional adjustments. This study investigated the differences in health-related quality of life of housewives and career women after normal vaginal delivery in the light of their mother-worker dyad and the associated socio-demographic factors. Three objectives and five hypotheses were raised to guide the study. Response shift theory was used to appraise the quality of life of the mothers as they adapt to changes in their roles post delivery. Longitudinal, prospective descriptive design was used for the study. A sample of 234 newly delivered mothers was drawn from an estimated population of 363 that used six selected hospitals in Enugu through proportionate stratified and convenience sampling techniques. Data were collected by administration of a modified form of the short-form 36 version 2 (SF-36v2TM) health-related quality of life instrument - standardized Iranian version generic 36-item health status profile – and a researcher-developed five-item questionnaire to post partal at 6, 12 and 18 weeks post delivery. Data collection was through personal contacts at the hospital initially, and visits to home/workplace or cell-phone interview at subsequent times. Data were analysed descriptively using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviations. T-test was used for group comparison of dimensions of HrQoL of the women while two-way ANOVA was used to establish statistical significant difference in the scores. Both housewives and career women had better HrQoL during their maternity period – 6 and 12 weeks post partum than at 18 weeks. At 18 weeks housewives had better HrQoL than career women; career women reported bodily pains and problems with role physical and social functioning more frequently than housewives. There were significant differences in HrQoL scores of housewives and career women at 18 weeks post partum based on their age, educational status, family income, perceived social support and stress-related job category. The current four months leave maternity should be extended to six months full pay maternity leave so that mothers will have more time to adjust to their increased responsibilities. Paternity leave should be granted to fathers, on request, so that they will have time at home to assist their spouse as may be necessary. Similar studies should be conducted among housewives and career women living in rural areas
