The non-pneumatic anti-shock garment for postpartum haemorrhage in nigeria

Objective: This study examines whether the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG) reduces blood loss and mortality from uterine atony. Method: The sample was taken from delivering women at four referral facilities in nigeria who suffered obstetric haemorrhage, from which a subset of women with aetiology of post-partum uterine atony were examined. Data were collected by hospital staff and included 139 women, 54 in the pre-intervention phase and 85 in the NASG intervention phase. Differences in demographics, condition on study entry, treatment and outcomes were examined. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were used for primary outcomes of blood loss and mortality. Results: Median measured blood loss decreased from 360 ml pre-intervention to 30 ml in the NASG phase (P < 0.001). Mortality was reduced 72% for women treated with the NASG from 16.7% pre-intervention to 4.7% during the NASG phase (relative risk = 0.28, 95% confidence interval 0.09–0.87). Conclusion: The NASG shows promise for reducing blood loss and death from haemorrhage and shock due to uterine atony.