Investigation of Health-Related Behaviours and Levels Self-Care Power Characteristics of Puerperants in the Postpartum Period

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the puerperants' level of knowledge, health behaviours, and self-care power.

Methods:  The study was done analytically and cross-sectionally with 600 women between January and April 2012. The study's data were gathered using a questionnaire that questioned the women's descriptive and independent characteristics, as well as a Self-Care Scale.

Results: 38.5% of the puerperants were between the ages of 19 and 24; 91% were housewives; 94.2% health insurance; 73.2% were from nuclear households; 71.7% had 1-3 pregnancies; and 33.5% had two births. 69.5% of puerperants had no health difficulties, 77.5% attended to check-ups, and 53.5% had a caesarean section. Among the respondents, 43.8% said they nursed their kids within half an hour, 18.5% said they experienced breastfeeding issues, 46.9% said they would breastfeed as much as they could, and 16% said they employed methods to increase breast milk. After giving birth, 21.8% stated they would attend for a follow-up appointment, 65.3% said they would have sexual intercourse within 40 days, and 60.5% expressed they would begin contraception within 40 days. After birth, 55.7% said that their social life had been impacted, 23.3% reported dread, anxiety, and concern, 67.7% reported decreased sleep duration, and 89.7% did not exercise. The mean self-care power score of the puerperants was 98.96 ± 37.22.

Conclusion: The puerperants determined that the self-care power scores of the were at a moderate level. In addition, it was determined that puerperant women had deficiencies in health behavior and lack of knowledge.