Full text article. Also available at https://doi.org/10.12968/ajmw.2018.0018
Background:
Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is one of the main causes of maternal death. In Tanzania, 25% of maternal deaths are the result of PPH. Gaps in practitioner knowledge in the prevention and management of this issue may lead to severe maternal complications and death. Little has been documented about nurses' knowledge and skills regarding PPH prevention and management.
Objective:
To determine the factors influencing nurses' knowledge and skill in the prevention and management of PPH in the Dodoma Region, Central Tanzania.
Method:
A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 172 nurses working in Dodoma, Tanzania. Data on the sociodemographic characteristics of the nurses was collected using a structured questionnaire. Knowledge on PPH was assessed using a validated questionnaire and skills were assessed using an observational checklist. The chi-squared test was used to find associations between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge and skills. Binary logistic regression (both reduced and full models) was used to identify significant predictors of knowledge and skills.
Results:
The findings indicated that being ≥40 years old (OR=2.87, P=0.004), being a registered nurse (OR=2.73, P=0.002), having >3 years of professional training (OR=2.38, P=0.01), and having ≥5 years of experience in a maternity unit (OR=3.06, P<0.00) were significant predictors for knowledge in the prevention and management of PPH in a reduced model of binary logistic regression. Being ≥40 years old (OR=11.5, P=0.00), having >3 years of professional training (OR=4.58, P<0.00), and having ≥5 years of experience in a maternity unit (OR=9.14, P<0.00) were significant predictors for skills in the reduced model. After adjusting to control for possible confounders, being a registered nurse was the only significant predictor of nurses' knowledge (AOR=3.35, P=0.001), while having ≥5 years experience in a maternity unit was the only significant predictor of nurses' skills (AOR=3.89, P=0.01).
Conclusion:
Professional qualification and experience in a maternity unit are significant factors influencing nurses' knowledge and skills, respectively, in the prevention and management of PPH.