The quality of life of HIV-infected and non-infected women post-caesarean section delivery

Preshani Reddy,Jose M Frantz

doi:10.4102/hsag.v22i0.1020

Abstract

There is a dearth of literature on the postnatal quality of life (QoL) of women. This study aimed to determine to QoL of HIV-infected and non-infected women post-caesarean section delivery.This prospective, longitudinal and comparative study was conducted at four public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal. The participants were followed for six-months post-delivery and the QoL was measured using the SF-36 and the pelvic floor impact questionnaire (PFIQ-7). The results showed that the QoL of women were negatively affected post-operatively with the HIV-infected group scoring lower over the six-months. Understanding postpartum QoL problems is essential in efforts to provide effective comprehensive care.

Highlights

Improving the quality of health care in the field of women's health, has become an urgent global priority (Hassim, Heywood, & Berger, 2007; UN, 2013)
There is no national research on the quality of life (QoL) of HIV-infected women post-caesarean section delivery (CSD) despite South Africa having the highest HIV prevalence rate globally and KwaZuluNatal Province (KZN) being the epicentre of the virus (South African Department of Health, 2011)
The public health care system is mainly used by South Africa's lower income group, which implies that social determinants may be influencing factors on the patients' postnatal QoL, the physical aspect

Summary

Introduction

Improving the quality of health care in the field of women's health, has become an urgent global priority (Hassim, Heywood, & Berger, 2007; UN, 2013). There is no national research on the QoL of HIV-infected women post-CSD despite South Africa having the highest HIV prevalence rate globally and KZN being the epicentre of the virus (South African Department of Health, 2011). Research in this area is a priority because improving the quality of health care in South Africa is presently of significance, and forms part of the country's 2030 national developmental plan (National Planning Commission, 2011)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion