Abstract:

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a main cause of mortality and morbidity involving pregnant woman worldwide and number one cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in developed and developing countries. Postpartum hemorrhage contributes to 25-30% of these deaths in the developing world. Severe bleeding is the single most important cause of maternal mortality worldwide. The common causes of PPH are uterine atony, tears and laceration of the birth canal, retained placenta and clots and puerperal sepsis. According to studies conducted worldwide risk factors for PPH in vaginal deliveries is more common in mulliparous, multiparas, prolonged and augmented labor, preeclampsia, episiotomy, multiple pregnancy, vacuum delivery and retained placenta and clots. Skilled attendance at every childbirth is an important step in saving the lives of mothers and their newborns and implies support of the normal progression of labor, prevention of complications, and proper and timely interventions if complications do develop (8)

Objective: The objective was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice on prevention of PPH among health care providers postpartum hemorrhage in Nyamagana Municipal.

Methodology: This study was hospital based descriptive cross section study using to quantitative analysis. The data from government health facilities in Nyamagana Municipality Mwanza, Tanzania, were surveyed about PPH-related knowledge, attitude and practice on prevention of PPH among health care providers in September 2019. Data were analyzed descriptively, and X square test of independence were used to examine relationships between knowledge, attitude and practice.

Results: Among 98 respondents, 7 (6.1%) answered all PPH knowledge questions correctly. The mean knowledge score was 63.9% ± 21.1%. Non-calibrated methods for estimating postpartum blood loss were common; only 62 (53.9%) respondents reported direct collection.

Conclusion: Healthcare providers had moderate knowledge on PPH risk factors, diagnosis, and causes. Strategies that provide ongoing education and equip lower-level facilities with adequate supplies might minimize occurrence of PPH.