Risk factors for severe post partum haemorrhage in Mulago hospital, Kampala, Uganda.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the risk factors for severe postpartum haemorrhage.


METHODS
A case control study.


METHODS
Mulago hospital labour wards, Kampala, Uganda.


METHODS
One hundred and six mothers with severe postpartum haemorrhage were recruited between 15th November 2001 and 30th November 2002 and were compared with 500 women who had normal delivery.


RESULTS
The predictors for postpartum haemorrhage were co-existing hypertension (O.R 9.3, 95% CI: 1.7-51.7), chronic anaemia (OR 17.3, 95% CI: 9.5-31.7), low socio economic background (OR 5.3, 95% CI: 3.0, 9.2), past history of postpartum haemorrhage (OR 3.6, 95% CI: 1.1-11.8), previous delivery by Caesarean section (OR 7.5, 95% CI: 3.5-14.3), long birth interval of more than sixty months (OR 5.2, 95% CI: 2.1-13.0), prolonged third stage (OR 49.1, 95% CI: 8.8-342.8) and non use of oxytocics (OR 4.3%, 95% CI: 1.2-15.3).


CONCLUSIONS
Severe postpartum haemorrhage is common in our environment and is associated with a high maternal morbidity and mortality. The determinants of postpartum haemorrhage are useful in identifying mothers at risk and together with the services of a skilled birth attendant at delivery will prevent postpartum haemorrhage and reduce the maternal morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. In our study, the following risk factors were identified: pre-existing hypertension, chronic anaemia, low socio-economic background, history of postpartum haemorrhage, previous delivery by Caesarean section, longbirth interval of more than sixty months, prolonged third stage and non use of oxytocics were found to be significant.
Walter Sisulu University, Private Bag Xl Unitra, Mthatha 5117, South Africa.
J
J
Wandabwa
P
P
Doyle
J
J
Todd
S
S
Ononge
P
P
Kiondo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008428:Maternal Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D016017:Odds Ratio; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology