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INTRODUCTION: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains the leading cause of maternal mortality. A new clinical intervention (E-MOTIVE) holds the potential to improve early PPH detection and management. We aimed to develop and pilot implementation strategies to support uptake of this intervention in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania. METHODS: Implementation strategy development: We triangulated findings from qualitative interviews, surveys and a qualitative evidence synthesis to identify current PPH care practices and influences on future intervention implementation. We mapped influences using implementation science frameworks to identify candidate implementation strategies before presenting these at stakeholder consultation and design workshops to discuss feasibility, acceptability, and local adaptations. Piloting: The intervention and implementation strategies were piloted in 12 health facilities (3 per country) over 3 months. Interviews (n=58), case report forms (n=1,269), and direct observations (18 vaginal births, 7 PPHs) were used to assess feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity. RESULTS: Implementation strategy development: Key influences included shortages of drugs, supplies, and staff, limited in-service training, and perceived benefits of the intervention (e.g., more accurate PPH detection and reduced PPH mortality). Proposed implementation strategies included a PPH trolley, on-site simulation-based training, champions, and audit and feedback. Country-specific adaptations included merging the E-MOTIVE intervention with national maternal health trainings, adapting local PPH protocols, and PPH trollies depending on staff needs. Piloting: Intervention and implementation strategy fidelity differed within and across countries. Calibrated drapes resulted in earlier and more accurate PPH detection but were not consistently used at the start. Implementation strategies were feasible to deliver; however, some instances of limited use were observed (e.g., PPH trolley and skills practice after training). CONCLUSION: Systematic intervention development, piloting, and process evaluation helped identify initial challenges related to intervention fidelity, which were addressed ahead of a larger-scale effectiveness evaluation. This has helped maximize the internal validity of the trial.
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OBJECTIVE: To explore differences in obstetric practices and clinical outcomes of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in Nigerian facilities. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study of public health facilities providing maternal healthcare services in Nigeria. Surveys were conducted across 38 purposively sampled facilities (January 2020-March 2021) to collect information on obstetric practices related to the management of the third stage of labor, treatment of postpartum hemorrhage, and clinical outcomes related to postpartum hemorrhage in the preceding 12 months. RESULTS: The median number of annual births per facility was 2230 (IQR, 1952-3283). The cesarean section rate was 21.6% (range 2.1%-52.6%). There was large variability in PPH rate (median 3%, range 0.4%-16.8%) and blood transfusions for PPH (median 2.8%, range 0.4%-48.6%) after vaginal birth. There was less variability for laparotomies (median 0.25%, range 0%-2.8%) and maternal deaths (median 0.11%, range 0%-0.64%) due to PPH after vaginal birth. The number of maternal deaths from all causes varied (median 0.27%, range 0%-3.5%). The rates of PPH and adverse maternal outcomes did not vary substantially between state or federal facilities, region, type of facility, and the number of clinical staff. CONCLUSION: Across the Nigerian facilities surveyed there was large variation in PPH rates and adverse maternal outcomes due to PPH. This variability remains largely unexplained and requires further insights and detailed data to gain a deeper understanding of the root causes and challenges to implement customized solutions to improve maternal outcomes.