Health-related Quality of Life and Quality of Care in pregnant and
postnatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case control study
Abstract
Objective To compare self-reported health related quality of life
(HRQoL) and quality of care (QoC) received between pregnant and
postnatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary unit. Design
A prospective case-control study Population Pregnant women, ≥18 years of
age, with capacity, who spoke English, and attended the tertiary unit
during the pandemic. Methods 18 perinatal women who tested positive for
SARS-CoV-2 and 20 asymptomatic control perinatal women were recruited.
Demographic characteristics were collected and all participants
completed the Short Form (SF-12), Clinical Outcomes in Routine
Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) and Quality from the Patient’s
Perspective (QPP). Means scores in both cohorts were compared. Main
Outcome Measures Assessment of psychological distress, HRQoL, QoC and
their correlates. Results 95% of the Non-COVID cohort were Caucasian,
while 67% of the pregnant women who had COVID-19 were not Caucasian
(x2=16.01, p<0.0001). The mean SF-12 for physical health and
functionality in the COVID cohort had significantly lower scores (36.54
vs 49.21, 95% CI [6.9 to 20.2], p<0.0002). There was no
difference in mental health and wellbeing scores between the COVID and
Non-COVID cohorts. The QoC experienced by both cohorts was similar and
very positive. Conclusions Among pregnant women who tested positive for
COVID-19, there was a significant greater burden on the women’s physical
health. Mental health and psychological status was similar in both
groups. High quality of care during a pandemic is possible to deliver in
a maternity setting, irrespective of the patient’s COVID status.