Browsing by Author "Mwangala,Elizabeth Agness"

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    Psychological Consequences of Childbirth-Related Trauma Among Postpartum Mothers at Thyolo District Hospital, Malawi
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2024-11-10) Mwangala,Elizabeth Agness
    Childbirth-related trauma occurs during labor and delivery, could cause psychological distress and increases the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Etiological factors includes methods of birth. The prevalence is unrecognized in maternity in Malawi. This study aimed to assess psychological consequences of childbirth-related trauma and PTSD among postpartum mothers at Thyolo District Hospital. A cross-sectional study of 250 randomly selected 6–12 weeks postpartum mothers. The City Birth Trauma Scale (City BiTS) determined the prevalence of childbirth-related trauma and PTSD. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS version 22. Pearson’s chisquare test, and binary logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with childbirth-related PTSD Prevalence of childbirth-related PTSD was 23.2% (95% CI 17.3% – 28.7%, n = 58). Etiological factors:“vaginal birth” [OR = 3.70 (1.77–7.75), p ˂0.001]; “complications” [OR = 8.12 (1.23–33.30), p = 0.02]; “virtually scathed” [OR = 7.18 (1.08–47.62), p == 0.04]; “excessively long labor” [OR = 12.84(2.84–57.99), p ˂0.001]; “feeling anxious” [OR = 5.24 (1.49–18.44), p = 0.01]; “feeling out of control” [OR = 8.83 (2.09–37.22), p = 0.003], protective factor “ well communicated” [OR = 0.13 (0.03–0.52), p = 0.004]. This study confirmed the high prevalence of childbirth-related trauma and PTSD. Excessively long labor was the strongest predictor of childbirth-related PTSD.