scholarly journals The Gardening Activities to Reduce Postpartum Stress in Japanese Postpartum Women: Preliminary Evidence from Pilot Single-Arm Trial Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuka Kotozaki

Abstract Objective There is a need for safer and more effective programs to address postpartum women's mental health dysfunction. The objective of this study was to clarify the effects on mental health, including postpartum depression, by implementing Japanese postpartum women with gardening activities by a pilot single-arm trial. Results 15 women about a year after giving birth, recruited through newspaper advertisements, took part in this pilot study. I used the Japanese version of Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) score as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were parenting stress, anxiety, and quality of life (QOL). Data collected at pre and post-test were analyzed using a paired t test. The EPDS, stress regarding parents, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)-state, and STAI-trait of post-test were significant decreased than pre-test (p < 0.05). Also, physical health and psychological health of the World Health Organization Quality of life 26 (WHOQOL-26) of post-test were significantly increased than pre-test (p < 0.05). The gardening activity might be promising for mitigating depressive mood in postpartum women.

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s901-s902 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Feki ◽  
I. Feki ◽  
D. Trigui ◽  
I. Baâti ◽  
R. Sallemi ◽  
...  

IntroductionWomen during the postpartum period experience many physiological, psychological, and social changes. Quality of life (QOL) is a sense of well-being and arises from satisfaction or dissatisfaction with various aspects of life including health, employment, socioeconomic state, psychological-emotional state, and family.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to identify influence of childbirth experience and postpartum depression on QOL.MethodsThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study regarding 150 postpartum women receiving cares in the hospital of Sfax and examined during the first and the sixth week post-delivery. Data collection tools in this study were demographic questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and world health organization quality of life-bref (WHOQOL-bref). Data were analyzed using SPSS.ResultsThe mean age of our sample (n = 150) was 29.61 years. During the sixth week study period, 126 of 150 were examined.A personal psychiatric history of depression was found in 9.3% of cases.The current pregnancy was undesired in 15.3% of cases.The prevalence of postpartum depression in the first week was 14.7% and 19.8% in the sixth week after delivery.The mean score of quality of life was 81.62 ± 9.09.Scores of quality of life and all its dimensions were significantly lower in depressive women.ConclusionBecause enormous changes develop in postpartum women, we suggest supportive measures for mother by her mother-in-law family, and caregivers to improve the QOL and health status of the mother and her child and to prevent postpartum depression.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
Fahmida Ahmed ◽  
Meherunnessa Begum ◽  
Md Abdul Wahab ◽  
Sayed Kamaluddin Ahmed

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a severe and debilitating anxiety disorder which causes severely impaired quality of life. The objective of the study was to assess the quality of life of the patients suffering from OCD. It was a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2011 to June 2011 among 46 patients who attended the out-patient department of the National Institute of Mental Health Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh and Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh by using purposive sampling technique. A Semi-structured questionnaire, Dhaka University Obsessive Compulsive Scale (DUOCS), World Health Organization Quality of Life-Scale Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorder, 4th edition (DSM-IV) were used in each case for this assessment. Results showed that mean age of the patients was (29.07±6.11) years, majority of the respondents (71.7%) were male, 63.0% were unmarried and 34.8% were students. Patients were least satisfied with social domain and patients having only obsession had lower mean score (23.54±1.80) in environmental domain than in patients having both obsession and compulsion (25.15±3.70). OCD patients having major conflict (52.2%) were least satisfied with environmental health domain and patients suffering from OCD for more than ten years (78.3%) had low score than those suffering for less than ten years (21.7%) in overall quality of life domain. Patients having strained family relationship (34.8%) were less satisfied to psychological health domain and patients getting medication (91.3%) had better quality of life in all domains than those getting no medication (8.7%).Bang J Psychiatry June 2015; 29(1): 18-22


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadeel Shanshal ◽  
Harith Kh. Al-Qazaz

Abstract Background: COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the entire world and one of its impacts was the increased level of stress and anxiety, especially among healthcare workers. Therefore, this study aims at evaluating the quality of life (QoL) and sleep quality of healthcare professionals in Iraq.Methods: This study assessed the QoL and sleep quality by using World Health Organization Quality of Life Instruments (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) respectively. The questionnaires were administered through an online cross-sectional survey targeted at workers in medical fields in Iraq from 1st to 20th of August 2021. Results: Three hundred medical health workers participated, and females constituted 75.3%. The two questionnaires had very good internal consistency. The highest scoring domain was the social relationships, followed by physical health. Significant difference was found in the mean scores of psychological health domain between males and females, with higher scores observed in males. The mean of the total ISI score was 11.58 ± 6.88 with a range between 0 and 27. Severe insomnia was observed in only 9.7% of the participants. A significant negative correlation (r = -0.118) was found between age and ISI scores of the participants. Significant differences were found between males and females with higher ISI mean score observed among males. Conclusion: The quality of life and sleep pattern can be impacted by COVID-19 infection with the psychological aspect of QoL being the most affected and some degrees of insomnia being observed in many participants.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 532-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siba Jneid ◽  
Hicham Jabbour ◽  
Aline Hajj ◽  
Antoine Sarkis ◽  
Hady Licha ◽  
...  

Objective: Patients with hypertension tend to have a lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) compared to normotensive patients. This study’s main objectives are to assess (1) HRQOL and factors that might impact it and (2) association between HRQOL and adherence to treatment, trust in physician, and treatment satisfaction among patients with hypertension. Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 196 patients from medical-care offices in Beirut, North and South Lebanon. Eligible patients signed a consent form and were asked to complete the Trust in Physician Scale, World Health Organization Quality of Life-brief (WHOQOL-brief) questionnaire, and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQM 1.4) as well as questions assessing medication adherence. Results: Better antihypertensive medication adherence was significantly and positively correlated with better HRQOL domains except general health where significance was not reached ( P = .089). Better adherence was also significantly related to better treatment satisfaction (side effects, convenience, and global satisfaction but not to effectiveness) and an increased trust in physicians ( P < .0001). Better treatment satisfaction (TSQM domains) was significantly and positively associated with a better overall HRQOL ( P ≤ .001). Increased trust in physician scores were significantly and positively correlated with a better psychological health, environment, and overall HRQOL domains ( P = .045, .005, and .006, respectively). Finally, TSQM effectiveness, convenience, and global satisfaction were significantly higher when trust in physician was greater ( P = .017, .035, and .002, respectively). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed an association between increased adherence to treatment, a higher global satisfaction, and an increased quality of life. An increased patient satisfaction with their antihypertensive treatment and trust in their physician were also correlated with a greater adherence to treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Izwan Mat Nazali ◽  
Salmi Razali ◽  
Suthahar Ariaratnam ◽  
Yuhaniz Ahmad ◽  
Hapizah Nawawi

Experiencing good quality of life (QOL) among university staff is extremely crucial to ensuring academic excellence; however, there are limited data on factors that contribute to QOL among university staff. This study aims to determine the level and the predictors for good QOL among university staff. The consenting participants were selected using a stratified sampling method. Participants who had fulfilled the selection criteria were provided with socio-demographic, medical illness, job factor, and family background questionnaires. QOL and psychological well-being (depression, anxiety, and stress) were assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaires, respectively. A total of 278 staff (mean ± SD age: 38.84 ± 7.85 years, 44.2% males, 82.7% married) had participated in this study. This study found that participants had low QOL in the domains of physical health [P-QOL] (11.2%), psychological health [PSY-QOL] (9.7%), social relationships [SR-QOL] (19.1%), and environment [E-QOL] (14.4%). The predictors of P-QOL were depression, medical illness, and number of dependents, while those of PSY-QOL were work promotion, depression, medical illness, and number of dependents. Additionally, the predictors of SR-QOL were campus location, depression, and work promotion, while those of E-QOL were age, level of education, depression, work promotion, and medical illness. Depression significantly affected all domains of QOL. Younger participants without medical illness and those with tertiary level of education had increased odds of having good QOL. Participants having dependents without work promotion and employed in suburban areas had decreased odds of having good QOL. The relevant authority should be identified and then assist staff with difficulties to ensure the staff benefited from having a good QOL.


Author(s):  
Kelly da Silva ◽  
Raphaela Barroso Guedes-Granzotti ◽  
Vanessa Veis Ribeiro ◽  
Rodrigo Dornelas ◽  
Pablo Jordão Alcântara Cruz ◽  
...  

Purpose The aim of this study was to identify the factors that are related to the quality of life and sleep of Brazilian speech-language pathology students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method This study adopted a cross-sectional, descriptive observational design. A total of 161 undergraduate speech-language pathology students participated in this study. The relationship between quality of life and sleep, socioeconomic characteristics, and health problems was examined using correlational analysis. Participant data were collected using an online form, which included questions that assessed their socioeconomic and health characteristics during the pandemic; the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; and the first two questions of the World Health Organization Quality of Life–Brief Version. Results There were relationships between sleep dysfunction, a reduction in household income during the pandemic, membership to a risk group, living with at-risk individuals, time spent on the Internet (hours), and the purpose underlying Internet use. Satisfaction with health was related to membership to a risk group. Perceptions of the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health were related to sleep dysfunction and quality of life during the pandemic. Conclusion The present findings underscore the need for policies that promote health, prevent diseases, and address mental health problems during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.


2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Affini Borsoi Tamai ◽  
Sergio Márcio Pacheco Paschoal ◽  
Julio Litvoc ◽  
Adriana Nunes Machado ◽  
Pedro Kallas Curiati ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effect on quality of life of elderly people enrolled in GAMIA – Multidisciplinary Care Group to Outpatient Elderly Subjects (Grupo de Assistência Multidisciplinar ao Idoso Ambulatorial) of the Geriatric Department, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo. Methods: Between 2000 and 2002, 83 elderly participants of GAMIA were assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-bref) at the beginning and the end of the program. Functionality was assessed by Katz and Lawton scales and sociodemographic data were obtained from medical charts. Results: Females predominated (79.5%) and overall mean age was 69.30 years. Data analysis showed a reduction in the physical domain of WHOQOL-bref (p = 0.014) and increased psychological health and environment domains (p = 0.029 and p = 0.007, respectively), detecting a trend of increase in social relationships and in general domains (p = 0.062 and p = 0.052, respectively). Conclusions: The clinical evaluation of the elderly detected previously unknown diseases and determination of the use of new drugs, which might have been the predominant factor for the deterioration of their perception in the physical domain. Improvement in psychological health and the environment can be related to psychological and social support that the elderly received from peers and professionals and the benefits of group activities, as well as the upward trend observed in social relationships and general domains. Participation in a program to promote healthy aging was effective in improving the quality of life of the elderly.


2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Bunout ◽  
Paulina Osorio ◽  
Gladys Barrera ◽  
María José Torrejón ◽  
Cynthia Meersohn ◽  
...  

Quality of life (QOL) of older people is becoming an important public health concern and should be evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate socioeconomic and individual determinants of QOL of older subjects living in metropolitan Santiago, Chile. We first carried out a qualitative phase with focus groups of older people. According to the conclusions of the focus groups, a questionnaire about QOL was devised and added to the WhoQoL (World Health Organization Quality of Life) and WHOQoL-Old brief questionnarires. The final document with 85 questions was applied to healthy older subjects living in the community. A total of 1,676 subjects aged 71.8±7.4 years (1,189 women) took part in the survey. A multiple stepwise regression model showed that a higher socioeconomic level, a better educational level, performing voluntary work, having a partner, participating in groups with other older people, and being younger were factors independently associated with a higher QOL. A principal components analysis showed that psychological health and social relationships were the main domains that explained the total quality of life score. Psychological health and social relationships were the main determinants of QOL in this sample of older Chilean people living in metropolitan Santiago.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augustine Kang ◽  
Zhenli Yu ◽  
Marjorie Foo ◽  
Choong Meng Chan ◽  
Konstadina Griva

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is advocated as treatment of choice for most end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, including elderly and frail patients. It typically requires caregiver involvement to support care at home. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in burden and quality of life (QOL) in caregivers of prevalent PD patients over 12 months. Data were collected in 44 caregivers of PD patients (mean age 38.4 ± 6.3 years; 60% female) in Singapore at baseline and 12 months. Measures included demographics, the Lay Care-Giving for Adults Receiving Dialysis (LC-GAD), Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF). Paired t-tests indicate a significant decrease in task-related aspects of caregiving ( p = 0.04), particularly in relation to personal hygiene ( p < 0.01), over time. Cognitive aspects of caregiving remained unchanged. Perceived burden, however, significantly increased ( p < 0.01), with significantly more caregivers reporting moderate to severe caregiver burden at follow-up (28%) relative to baseline (13%; p < 0.01). There was a significant reduction in psychological health (under WHOQOL) ( p = 0.01). Study findings indicate an increase in caregiver burden and a reduction in psychological health despite a reduction in task-related aspects of caregiving, supporting a further exploration of the “wear-and-tear” hypothesis among this population. Intervention strategies are needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleha Shafie ◽  
Ellaisha Samari ◽  
Anitha Jeyagurunathan ◽  
Edimansyah Abdin ◽  
Sherilyn Chang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients with mental illness report lower quality of life (QoL) compared to the general population. Prior research has found several differences in clinical features and experiences of male and female patients with schizophrenia. Given these differences, it is also important to explore if there are any gender differences in terms of their QoL. This study aimed to investigate differences in QoL between and within each gender among outpatients with schizophrenia in Singapore. Methods A total of 140 outpatients were recruited through convenience sampling at the Institute of Mental Health, Singapore. QoL was measured using the brief version of World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) which consists of four domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. QoL scores of males and females were compared using independent t-tests, and multiple linear regressions were used to examine sociodemographic correlates of QoL in the overall sample and within each gender. Results There was no significant difference in QoL domain scores between genders. Among males, Indian ethnicity (versus Chinese ethnicity) was positively associated with physical health (β=3.03, p=0.018) while males having Technical Education/ Diploma/ A level education (versus Degree and above) were positively associated with social relationships domain (β=2.46, p=0.047). Among females, Malay ethnicity (versus Chinese ethnicity) was positively associated with physical health (β=1.95, p=0.026) psychological health (β=3.21, p=0.001) social relationships (β=2.17, p=0.048) and environment (β=2.69, p=0.006) domains, while females who were separated/divorced (versus single) were inversely associated with psychological health (β=− 2.80, p=0.044) and social relationships domains (β=− 4.33, p=0.011). Females who had Secondary and below education (versus Degree and above) were inversely associated with social relationships (β=− 2.29, p=0.028) and environment domains (β=− 1.79, p=0.048). Conclusions The findings show the importance of treatments targeting QoL to attend to both the clinical features of the illness as well patient’s sociodemographic characteristics.


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