Vol 11, Issue 1, 2018 Online - 2455-3891 Print - 0974-2441 INCIDENCE OF MINOR AILMENTS OF PUERPERIUM AND RELATED KNOWLEDGE AMONG POSTNATAL MOTHERS SOUMYA RAJ K, RESHMA RAJAN, SUVI KJ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amrita College of Nursing, Amrita University, Kochi, Kerala, India. Email: Reshmarajan66601@gmail.com Received: 30 June 2017, Revised and Accepted: 14 October 2017 ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of the study was to identify the incidence and knowledge of minor ailments of puerperium among postnatal mothers and to develop an information leaflet on the management of minor ailments of puerperium. Methods: A quantitative approach with descriptive design and convenience sampling technique was used in this study. With these methods, the researcher selected 100 postnatal mothers attending Obstetrics and Gynecology ward, AIMS, Kochi. A semi-structured questionnaire along with a checklist was used to assess the knowledge and the incidence of minor ailments among postnatal mothers. Result: The result showed that the common incidence of minor ailments was afterpain (67%), perineal discomfort (50%), constipation (43%), and fatigue (67%). Majority of the postnatal mothers had average knowledge (65%) level, and some of them had good knowledge (21%), and some of them had poor knowledge (14%). Conclusion: The study revealed that the main four problems of minor ailments of puerperium were afterpain, perineal discomfort, constipation, and fatigue. Number of studies from different part of the world, including India, shows that a large proportion of postnatal mother experiences minor ailments of puerperium. This provides evidence for giving importance to minor ailments of puerperium. Researchers also provided a baseline information leaflet on the management of minor ailments of puerperium. Keywords: Puerperium, Minor ailments, Incidence, Postnatal mother. INTRODUCTION Postpartum period or postnatal period is the period beginning immediately after the birth of a child and extending for about 6 weeks [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes the postnatal period as the most critical and yet the most neglected phase in the lives of mothers and babies; most deaths occur during the postnatal period [2]. It is the time after birth, a time in which the mother’s body, including hormone levels and uterus size, returns to a nonpregnant state. Episiotomy refers to incision of the perineum during the second stage of delivery to spread the pelvic outlet and to prevent delay in fetal head delivery. Nowadays, episiotomy is not a popular method in developed countries but is routinely used in Asian countries where women have short perineum and strong tissues. Episiotomy has some complications including perineal pain and discomfort, bleeding, infection, damage to anal sphincter and mucosa, wound opening, rupture expansion, difficulty in sitting and holding one’s infant, disruption of maternal-infantile relationships, and reduction of sexual desire. Therefore, wound healing is of particular importance [3]. A study done by Pragati Nayak to assess the knowledge level and home management of minor ailments of puerperium among postnatal mothers in selected hospitals of Bangalore reported that 42% have inadequate, 43% have moderate, and only 17% of the subjects had adequate knowledge on minor ailments of puerperium [4]. A study was conducted in the village of Chhainsa Haryana, India, regarding selected minor ailments of puerperium shows that 64% are affecting with breast problems, 17% affecting with constipation, and 22% with fatigue [5]. The minor ailments of puerperium are the minor discomforts faced by the women during puerperium. The impact of the events of labor and birth and transition from nonparenthood to parenthood brings physical disorder and depression. The management of minor disorders prevents the risk of severe forms of postpartum disorder. Minor ailments of puerperium which commonly found in postnatal mothers are afterpain, constipation, abdominal tenderness, burning on urination, edema on legs, diuresis, perineal pain, and breast engorgement [6]. In this study, there searchers assessed minor ailments of puerperium. The objective of the study was identified the incidence and knowledge of minor ailments of puerperium among postnatal mothers and to develop an information leaflet on the management of minor ailments of puerperium. METHODS The present study used the quantitative approach with descriptive design and convenience sampling technique. With these methods, the researcher selected 100 postnatal mothers attending Obstetrics and Gynecology ward, AIMS, Kochi. Population: Target population were all the postnatal mothers attending obstetrics and gynecology department and accessible population were all postnatal mothers in the obstetrics and gynecology ward during the period of data collection. There were a total of 100 samples that are within 7 days after delivery. RESULTS The study showed that the major problems found among postnatal mothers are afterpain, perineal discomfort, constipation, and fatigue. Majority of the subjects had average knowledge, some had good knowledge, and only a few have poor knowledge. In this study, the postnatal mothers are divided into two groups based on the postnatal days such as one group belongs between 1 and 3 days and other group belongs to 4–7 days. © 2018 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by/4. 0/) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i1.21022 Research Article