The effect on life quality and depression level of physical activity level in postpartum period

Aim: The study was conducted to determine the effect on life quality and depression level of physical activity level in postpartum period. Material and Method: The data of the cross-sectional study were collected from seven different Family Health Centers located in the central Malatya districts of Yeşilyurt and Battalgazi between April-October 2017. The study population consisted of 1293 women with a postpartum period of 6 weeks to 6 months enrolled in Family Health Centers. When the power analysis was performed, the sample size was calculated as 5% error level, bi-directional significance level, 97% confidence interval, and 347 women with 80% power. The Personal Information Form, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the SF-36 Quality of Life Assessment Scale and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) were used to collect data. In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation) as well as chi-square test, one way variance analysis and pearson correlation analysis were used. Result: The mean IPAQ-SF score of the women was 1960.6 ± 1456.7 MET-dk / week, 18.4% was low, 59.7% was middle and 21.9% had high level of physical activity. It was determined that SF-36 subscales had significant differences between physical activity levels, physical role, general health, social functioning, mental role and mental health point averages (p<0.05). It was also determined that there was a significant difference between EPDS point averages according to physical activity levels (p<0.05). In the correlation analysis, it was determined that there is a weak relationship in positive direction between the physical role, social function, mental role and mental health point averages from the IPAQ-SF and SF-36 subscales (respectively r=.161, r=.170, r=.131, r=.158); an important relationship in negative direction between the EPDS point averages (r= -0.266; p<0.05). Conclusion: Physical activity was found to have a positive effect on the quality of life and postpartum depression of women in postpartum period. Key Words: Physical Activity, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Period, Quality of Life.