A comparative study of the non‐pneumatic anti‐shock garment for the treatment of obstetric hemorrhage in Nigeria

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG) can improve maternal outcome. METHODS: Women were enrolled in a pre-intervention phase (n=83) and an intervention phase (n=86) at a referral facility in Katsina, Nigeria, from November 2006 to November 2007. Entry criteria were obstetric hemorrhage (>or=750 mL) and a clinical sign of shock (systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg or pulse >100 beats per minute). To determine differences in demographics, condition on study entry, treatment, and outcome, t tests and chi(2) tests were used. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated for the primary outcome, mortality. RESULTS: Mean measured blood loss in the intervention phase was 73.5+/-93.9 mL, compared with 340.4+/-248.2 mL pre-intervention (P<0.001). Maternal mortality was lower in the intervention phase than in the pre-intervention phase (7 [8.1%]) vs 21 [25.3%]) (RR 0.32; 95% CI, 0.14-0.72). CONCLUSION: The NASG showed potential for reducing blood loss and maternal mortality caused by obstetric hemorrhage-related shock.