Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postpartum hemorrhage as the primary cause was associated with 41% to 51% of all maternal deaths in Ethiopia between 2013 and 2018. The majority of postpartum hemorrhage-related deaths can be avoided by using efficient therapies and having midwives with good knowledge and skills. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at determining the knowledge and practices of midwives related to postpartum hemorrhage management and associated factors at selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. STUDY DESIGN: An institutional-based, cross-sectional study design was employed from March 15 to April 15, 2023. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the 207 sampled participants. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, self-administered questionnaire. Data coding and cleaning were done before data analysis. Variables with a P value <.25 in the bivariate logistic regression analysis were entered and checked for association in a multivariable logistic regression model so as to not miss an important variable. The finding was expressed as the adjusted odd ratio with 95% confidence interval and a variable at a P value of <.05 was declared as statistically significant. RESULTS: In this study, 34.3% (95% confidence interval, 28-41) of the study participants had good knowledge, whereas 65.7% (95% confidence interval, 59-72) had poor knowledge. Participants who had received job training in the labor ward had 3 times better knowledge than those who did not receive it (adjusted odds ratio, 3.386; 95% confidence interval, 1.427-8.033). In total, 30.4% (95% confidence interval, 24.6-37.6) of the participants had good practice, whereas 69.6% (95% confidence interval, 62.4-75.4) had poor practice. CONCLUSION: The participant responses showed that the majority of midwives lacked adequate knowledge of and practice related to postpartum hemorrhage management. All stakeholders should consider on-job training for participants, improving educational levels, and continuous screening and identification of institutional needs.