TITLE:
Predictors of Postpartum Hemorrhage among Women Delivering Vaginally at Public Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia
AUTHORS:
Astridah K. Y. Maseka, Choongo Mulungu, Mwansa K. Lubeya, Patrick Kaonga, Andrew Kumwenda
KEYWORDS:
Postpartum Hemorrhage, Vaginal Delivery, Risk Factors, Lusaka, Predictors
JOURNAL NAME:
Surgical Science,
Vol.17 No.1,
January
14,
2026
ABSTRACT: Primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in resource-limited settings. In this case-control study of 318 women delivering vaginally at public hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia, prolonged third stage of labor and specific intrapartum complications were independently associated with primary PPH. Duration of the third stage of labor was associated with increased odds of PPH (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.1, 95% CI 1.05 - 1.46, P = 0.048). Uterine atony (aOR 7.4, 95% CI 4.5 - 14.6, P