Functional status of women with and without potentially life‐threatening maternal conditions after 6 months postpartum: A cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of potentially life‐threatening maternal conditions (PLTCs) on functional disability at 6 months postpartum. Methods This prospective cohort study was done at 10 hospitals in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. A total of 1027 postpartum women (341 with PLTCs and 686 without) were enrolled into the exposed and the unexposed groups, respectively. Disability status was assessed using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). Data were collected through interviews and card reviews. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson's chi‐square and Mann–Whitney for bivariate analyses. Due to the non‐parametric distribution of the outcome and the covariate (baseline WHODAS 2.0) data, we used non‐parametric analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to assess WHODAS 2.0 score differences between the groups at 6 months postpartum, adjusting for baseline WHODAS 2.0 scores and other covariates. Results Among 1027 participants, 997 (97%) completed the 6‐month follow‐up. Women with PLTCs had significantly higher median WHODAS 2.0 scores (25.0 vs. 9.4, P < 0.001; effect size = 0.34) and increased disability levels across all domains ( P < 0.001). The non‐parametric ANCOVA showed that PLTC had a significant independent effect (partial eta‐squared (η 2 p) = 0.043, P < 0.001) after adjusting for confounders (demographic and clinical variables). Conclusion Women who experienced PLTCs had significantly higher functional disability than those who did not at 6 months postpartum. The effects of PLTCs extend beyond the conventional 6‐week postpartum period. Establishing new mechanisms for long‐term maternal health follow‐up is essential to address ongoing functional disability.