Assessment of Incidence and Factors associated with Postpartum Hemorrhage among Women delivering at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital Bushenyi District

Abstract

Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) is a blood loss that is greater or equal to 500mls in 24 hours after delivery by Spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD), or when blood loss is greater or equal to 1000mls after Caesarean section within 24 hours. Postpartum hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of maternal death in Africa and accounting for almost a half of the total number of deaths in these regions and in sub–Saharan Africa is estimated to be 10.5 %. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with postpartum hemorrhage. This study employed a cross sectional descriptive study with a sample size of 36 patient of the age ranging from 19 to 45 in KIU-TH through examining the risk factors associated with this condition of PPH. Data was collected by administering questionnaires to all those who met the inclusion criteria in the study. The data collected was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and then presented inform of percentages frequencies/numbers using tables and charts. From the demographics obtained, it showed that women aged between 36-45years were mainly affected while the least affected age were 19-26 years. According to level of education, 41.7% who had never gone to school were the most affected group and the least affected were 8.3% who attended tertiary and university levels. Most affected mothers were the married by 83.3% and unmarried least affected by 16.7%. Most of the affected mothers were of high parity 44.4%, 56% had delivered by caesarian section and 55.6% attributed to induced labour. Parity showed greatest impact since some women with lower parity were less affected. Results showed that there is inadequate knowledge about the etiology of PPH of which 72% were aware about PPH existence and 28% did not have knowledge about it. Therefore, adequate prerequisites are required to perform PPH awareness and family planning to the mothers both in the hospital and the community at large. Keywords: Postpartum Hemorrhage, Parity, labour, maternal death.