ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE OF POST-PARTUM FEMALES IN ACTIVITY OF DAILY LIVING.

Abstract

Background: The postpartum period is a critical phase that significantly influences a woman's physical recovery and functional capacity. Functional independence during this time is essential for maternal well-being and the ability to care for a newborn. Evaluating a mother's capability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) provides insight into the impact of childbirth on physical autonomy. Understanding how different delivery modes affect recovery can help guide postpartum rehabilitation strategies and support improved maternal outcomes.

Objective: To assess the functional independence of postpartum women in performing activities of daily living, using the Katz Index, and to compare outcomes between normal vaginal delivery and cesarean section.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a six-month period, beginning in August 2022, at Ganga Ram Hospital and Gulab Devi Hospital, Lahore. A total of 100 postpartum women aged 20–40 years, at least six months post-delivery, were recruited using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. The sample included 50 women with normal vaginal delivery and 50 who had cesarean sections. The Katz Index of Independence in ADLs was used to assess participants’ ability to perform six basic tasks: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, and group comparisons were made using independent sample t-tests.

Results: Among 100 participants, 64% of women who had vaginal deliveries were independent in dressing compared to 36% among cesarean cases. Similarly, 75% of vaginal delivery participants were independent in transferring versus 25% in the cesarean group. The mean Katz Index score for vaginal delivery was 4.28 (SD = 1.089), while cesarean cases averaged 3.56 (SD = 1.798). A statistically significant difference was observed (p = 0.017), indicating that the mode of delivery significantly influenced functional recovery.

Conclusion: Postpartum women who underwent vaginal delivery demonstrated higher functional independence in daily activities compared to those who had cesarean sections. These findings emphasize the need for targeted rehabilitation and early intervention strategies to enhance postpartum recovery, particularly for cesarean patients.