A study on Functional Status of Women after Childbirth

산후 여성의 기능적 상태에 관한 연구

Recovery of functional status and affecting factors it were examined at 1 and 2 months after delivery in 111 women who defined as the resumption of household, self-care, social & community, and occupational activities, and assumption of infant care responsibilities. The data were collected by Tulman & Fawcett (1988)'s IFSAC questionnaire at 2 local hospitals & health center in Kwangju city & Chonnam province. The results were as follows : 1. Total mean scores of functional status were 2.3 points and increased in total functional status between 1 & 2 months after childbirth. The analysis revealed significant changes in 3 dimensions-household, social & community, and occupational activities-of IFSAC between 1 & 2 months after childbirth. 2. Mean scores of 5 dimensions of IFSAC were : self-care activities, 1.9 points : household activities, 2.7 points ; infant care responsibilities, 3.6 points ; occupational activities, 1.5 points ; and social & community activities, 1.6 points. 3. The job affected significantly the household, occupational activities and infant care responsibilities. And the complication of infant or mother affected significantly the infant care responsibilities in association with recovery functional status. Based on the findings and a review of the literature in regard to our understanding of recovery of functional status, the following recommendations were derived. 1. Future research needs to be policied concerning length of maternity leave after delivery on a firmer basis throught longitudinal study. 2. The data also nay be used to develop individual interventions to facilitate recovery from childbirth. 3. The IFSAC may be used to clinical assessments of functional status in the case of women cancer or obstetric and gynecologic operation.