The effect of integrating midwifery counseling with a spiritual content on improving the antenatal quality of life: A randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND

Poor antenatal Quality of Life (QoL) is associated with adverse outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to examine the effect of integrating midwifery counseling with spiritual content on improving the antenatal quality of life.

METHOD

This randomized controlled trial was performed on 60 first-time pregnant women who were referred to two childbirth preparation centers in Zanjan city, Iran in 2019. The counseling was conducted in eight sessions. The QoL SF-36 questionnaire was completed before and two months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, independent t-test, and paired-samples t-test. The level of significance was p<0.05.

RESULTS

After intervention based on an independent t-test the total score of QoL was significantly greater in the intervention group compared to the control group (p=0.001). After the intervention, the mean scores of four domains of QoL (Role-Physical, General Health, Vitality, Role-Emotional, and Mental Health) were significantly higher than the control group(p=0.001). While in terms of Physical Functioning, Bodily Pain and Social Functioning domains were not statistically significant (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Integrating midwifery counseling with spiritual content had a positive impact on improving the psychological aspect of quality of life more than the physical and social aspects. It can be used by providers for planning antenatal care programs.