Health related quality of life and associated factors among postpartum women after normal vaginal delivery and caesarean section: A comparative cross-sectional study

BackgroundPostpartum influences womens physical health conditions and may affect their quality of life and future health. Some women suffer from health problems which are largely related to delivery mode. Assessing the postnatal quality of life is essential to address the concern of women and provide comprehensive postnatal care and minimizes the morbidity of the mother during and beyond the postnatal period. ObjectivesTo assess health related quality of life and associated factors among postpartum women after normal vaginal delivery and caesarean section in public hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. MethodsA hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in public hospitals of Addis Ababa using Short Form-36. Systematic random sampling method was used and telephone interviews were conducted for 171 Caesarian Section and 165 Normal Vaginal Delivery postpartum women. The collected data entered into Epi-info version 7.2 and then analysied by SPSS version 25. The Multiple linear regression model was used after checking the assumptions were met to identify associated factors and p-value of 0.05 and a confidence interval of 95% was employed. ResultOverall 336 postpartum women participated with a response rate of 88%. The mean health-related quality of life was 91.42 and 81.89 for normal vaginal delivery and cesarean section group respectively.In multivariable linear regression for both groups, age =({beta}=-0.166;95%CI:-0.504,-0.121), family income ({beta}=-0.188 95%CI-0.001,0.000), gestational age ({beta} =0.131,95%CI:0.44,0.185), normal vaginal delivery ({beta}=0.526; 95% CI: 6.790,9.621), and live birth ({beta}=2.471,95% CI:1.094,9.643) were significantly associated factors and explained 47% of the variance in Health Related Quality of Life among postpartum women. Conclusion and RecommendationThe study finds a higher level of health-related quality of life in the normal vaginal delivery group compared to the cesarean section. Health workers should give appropriate counseling on modes of delivery, inorder to help patients to make an informed decision about their childbirth experience.