KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF RISK FACTORS OF POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC AT MURTALA MUMAMMAD SPECIALIST HOSPITAL KANO

BACKGROUND: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the excessive bleeding from genital tract following childbirth. One of the commonest causes of morbidity and among women of child bearing age especially in African and Asian regions. A lot of factors predispose women to having postpartum hemorrhage and it is important to know them to seek for appropriate intervention. This study aims at assessing knowledge and perception of risk factors of PPH at Murtala Muhammad Specialist hospital Kano, Nigeria. METHODS: A total of 200Pregnant women were were selected using systematic random sampling technique. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used in collecting data which was analyzed. RESULTS: This study found that level of knowledge of risk factors of PPH is low among pregnant women attending ANC at MMSH kano with a score of 26.5%. But there is good perception of the risk factors among them with the score of 81.5%. The sociocultural factors commonly associated with the risk factors of PPH were; community/family support, cultural/religious beliefs and frequency of information seeking on PPH by the women. CONCLUSION:There is low level of knowledge of risk factors of postpartum hemorrhage among women attending ANC at MMSH even though there is good perception. Various measures should be put in place to curtail the situation ranging from government community to healthcare personnels and community at large this includes strengthening of existing policies and putting decision making on care during pregnancy and childbirth in hands and women among others.