Mary Jolly Supervisor: Phyllis Woodfine
Abstract:
Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the study was to establish a hypothesis that there is a significant relationship between the activity of childcare and the incidence of pain, to include such habits as breastfeeding, changing nappies and carrying the child.
Methods used in the investigation: As this is a pilot study, Local mother-and-toddler groups were approached directly and individuals were asked to complete a short 2 page questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on the mother’s age, number of children she had, history and patterns of previous and postnatal injury. The questionnaires were then collated using Fishers Exact Test to determine the outcome.
Findings: The findings were that mothers with a history of pain were more likely to have that injury aggravated by activities related to caring for their children, with carrying the child and changing nappies as most common aggravating factors. However data showed that mothers with a previous history of pain or injury were more likely to suffer from postnatal pain. These findings coincide with results from previous studies in postnatal back pain (Russell 1996) and (Östgaard 1997)