Perceived level of return to functional abilities of mothers six weeks after childbirth in the teaching hospital Enugu

Abstract

Background: Functional status of mothers after delivery has implications for maternal and child health (MCH). The study is aimed at determining the perceived level of return to functional status of mothers attending post partum clinic, after six weeks of childbirth at the teaching hospitals in Enugu. Information gathered would help in designing programmes for improved MCH.

Methods: Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Data was collected using (IFSAC)-36 self rated items that was validated by experts in the field. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was done and findings presented in graphs and tables.

Results: Return of mothers to their functional abilities after six weeks of childbirth was good though in some aspects of functional ability it was low. 260 (73.9%) had a high level of return to infant care while 238 (67.68%), 218 (61.9%) and 159 (45.2%) had a low level of resumption to occupational, personal life, social and community activities respectively. There was a significant difference in the level of attainment of functional status of mothers attending past partum clinic with an F-value of 340.75<p value-0.05 There was no significant relationship observed between parity and return to functional status after 6 weeks of childbirth with 0.02 and 0.03 respectively (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Majority of mothers attending post partum clinic returned to functional status after six weeks of childbirth. Awareness on the importance of post partum clinic attendance need to be intensified for improved MCH as maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rate is high in Nigeria.