Abstract
Background:
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity globally, particularly in developing countries. Effective management of PPH requires nurses to possess adequate knowledge and apply evidence-based clinical practices during obstetric emergencies. Understanding nurses’ competence in managing PPH is essential for improving maternal outcomes in tertiary care settings.
Aim:
The study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of nurses regarding postpartum hemorrhage management in a tertiary care hospital and to identify gaps that may influence the quality of maternal care.
Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 registered nurses working in the labor, obstetric, and maternal emergency wards of SGTH Swat. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic data, while chi-square tests examined the association between knowledge and practice levels. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained before data collection.
Results:
The findings revealed that 60% of nurses demonstrated good knowledge, while 40% showed moderate to poor understanding of PPH management. In practice, 55% of nurses performed essential PPH interventions correctly, but significant gaps were noted in active management of the third stage of labor and timely recognition of hemorrhage. A positive correlation was observed between knowledge and practice levels (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The study highlights the need for continuous professional education and simulation-based training to strengthen nurses’ competencies in PPH management and improve maternal care outcomes.