Background
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) accounts for 25 percent of maternal deaths in Ethiopia. Risk based management of most obstetric complications including PPH doesn’t work effectively. The primary intervention shown to reduce the incidence of PPH is Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor (AMTSL) for all of vaginal deliveries irrespective of risk factors for PPH. However, the uptake of these practice has been very slow in most parts of the world including Ethiopia. Factors for the low uptake factors obstructing the accelerated uptake of AMTSL include lack of knowledge among providers and shortage of essential drugs

About the project
The goal of the change project was to contribute to reduction postpartum hemorrhage through the expanded use of AMTSL and pilot test the effectiveness of the low cost training approach. The project team set out to introduce the practice of AMTSL according to International Federation of Obstetricians & Gynecologists / International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) standards at intervention site and Increase the use of AMTSL.

Results
There was consensus among stake holders on the need for a change, printed AMTSL service guideline and job aids, trained 18 skilled birth attendants on AMTSL, distribution of guidelines and posters, re-formatting labor and delivery log book to help monitor the use of AMTSL, re-formatting labor and delivery log book to help monitor the follow up of the immediate postpartum period and supportive supervision of trained providers

Year: 2006