Predictors of Quality of Life in Pregnant Women Visiting Health Centers of Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Background & aim: To have successful pregnancy, it is necessary to focus on the mother’s quality of life during pregnancy. This study was conducted to determine the predictors of quality of life among Iranian pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 565 pregnant women visiting health centers of Tabriz, Iran, 2015. The participants were selected using the cluster sampling method. Data were collected using socio-demographic and obstetrics characteristics questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and a specific questionnaire for quality of life in pregnancy. Data were analyzed by SPSS, version 16. General linear model was used to estimate the effects of the independent variables (depressive symptoms and socio-demographic and obstetrics characteristics) on the dependent variable (quality of life). Results: The mean of the total score of quality of life was 2.9±0.3 from the achievable score range of 0-4. There was a significant negative correlation between depressive symptoms and quality of life (r=-0.53, p <0.001). Depressive symptoms, gestational age, and the place of receiving prenatal care were the predictors of quality of life during pregnancy. Women who had low scores of depressive symptoms, were at the second trimester, and received prenatal care from health centers had higher score of quality of life. Conclusion: The most important components affecting pregnant women’s quality of life are mother’s depressive symptoms, gestational age, and place of receiving prenatal care. Interventions such as screening and early treatment of depression must be implemented to improve the quality of life.