The impact of pregnancy on foot health.

Abstract

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of pregnancy on foot health amongst Maltese expectant mothers. RESEARCH AND METHOD A non-experimental same subject design was conducted at the 'Antenatal Clinic & Gynaecology Outpatients' Mater Dei Hospital Malta. Forty pregnant women were recruited and interviewed during their first antenatal appointment (time 0 - mean 15 weeks). Subjects were interviewed again after 4 months (time 1 -mean 37 weeks). The subjects were randomly chosen on a 'first come through the door' basis. The Bristol Foot Score (BFS) was used to assess foot health changes during pregnancy. RESULTS Results of this study showed a significant difference (P=0.000) in foot health in the recruited subjects from time 0, when subjects had a mean of 15 weeks pregnancy, and time 1 (four months after), mean average of 37 weeks pregnancy. The BFS also demonstrated a significant difference in specific questions relating to mobility, footwear and general foot health, concern and pain from the first interview (time 0) to four months after (time 1 ). CONCLUSION This study has concluded that pregnancy does impose a negative impact on foot health. A significant difference in most of the questions of the BFS relating to mobility, footwear and general foot health, concern and pain was reported in this study. Results of this study indicate that the quality of life during pregnancy is diminished due to changes in foot health which consequently affect the daily living of expectant women. This study has also highlighted the fact that pregnant women were not aware that pregnancy could affect their foot health. Appropriate foot care advice, foot care management and education that give special consideration to this specific population should be implemented. Recommendations suggest a change in the current management of foot health inside the 'Antenatal Clinic & Gynaecology Outpatients' for pregnant women. Improved care could result in improved foot outcomes, improved quality of life and better health care service offered by the Maltese health care system.