Abstract            Volume:14  Issue-6  Year-2026         Original Research Articles

Online ISSN : 2347 - 3215 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcret@gmail.com

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings such as Nigeria. This study assessed haematological parameters and clinical factors predisposing postnatal women to PPH in selected health facilities across Rivers State, Nigeria, and evaluated the effectiveness of Active Management of the Third Stage of Labour (AMTSL) in its prevention. A cross-sectional design was employed, recruiting 200 postpartum women from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), and selected primary health care centres. Complete Blood Count (CBC) parameters were analysed using the Sysmex XP-300 haematology analyser. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27, employing Chi-square tests and independent t-tests (p < 0.05). PPH occurred in 13.5% (n = 27) of participants. Parity was significantly associated with PPH (χ² = 10.663, p = 0.031), with higher parity (≥3) women at risk from uterine atony and nulliparous women at risk from prolonged labour. Age showed no significant association (p = 0.070). Mean platelet volume (MPV: 13.14 ± 1.21 vs. 10.66 ± 1.65 fL, p = 0.001) and red cell distribution width-coefficient of variation (RDW-CV: 23.08 ± 21.87% vs. 10.65 ± 9.51%, p = 0.006) were significantly elevated in PPH cases. Basophil count was significantly higher (p = 0.013) and lymphocyte count reduced (p = 0.011). Eighty percent of healthcare providers adhered to AMTSL standards. Parity, MPV, and RDW-CV are significant predictors of PPH. Routine haematological screening, targeted antenatal care, and consistent AMTSL practice are essential to reducing PPH-related maternal morbidity and mortality in Rivers State.

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