Health Status among Postpartum Women in Dhaka District: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The postpartum period is a critical phase of a woman’s life, marked by significant physical, emotional and social changes. These changes can affect the overall health and well-being of postpartum women. Identifying the health status during the postpartum period is crucial to understanding the challenges faced by postpartum women. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the health status among postpartum women in Dhaka District. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design with 101 postpartum women. The SF-36 questionnaire was used for research, and data were analysed using SPSS version 25. Results: Among 101 participants, the scores for various health-related factors were as follows: Physical functioning was 53.56%, role limitation due to physical health was 42.00%, emotional problems were rated at 72.27%, energy or fatigue was measured at 53.36%, mental health was scored at 70.65%, social functioning was 62.50%, body pain was rated at 56.65%, and general health was recorded at 62.32%. Conclusion: The study identified moderate challenges related to physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, and general health. On the other hand, mental health and role limitations stemming from emotional issues showed relatively better outcomes. Additionally, normal delivery was linked to improved physical health, while complications during pregnancy had a negative impact on health status. Keywords: Postpartum women, Health status, Physical functioning, Mental Health