KNOWLEDGE, PERCEIVED PREPAREDNESS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS FOR POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE MANAGEMENT AMONG MEDICAL INTERNS AT ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE, ETHIOPIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY (2025/26)

Abstract

ABSTARCT Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains the leading cause of maternal mortality globally, especially in low-resource settings like Ethiopia. Proper management of PPH requires timely recognition and intervention, often initiated by front line healthcare providers, including medical interns. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and perceived preparedness of St. Paul medical interns in the management of postpartum hemorrhage during the 2025/26 clinical placement period. Methods: An institutional-based analytical cross-sectional study and a census approach was conducted on final-year medical interns undertaking their clinical placement in 2025/26 at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College in Addis Ababa. Descriptive statics summarized knowledge and preparedness levels. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify associated factors of perceived preparedness. Result: A total of 90 medical interns participated in the study. Based on the pre defined 70% cutoff point (scoring ≥ 7 out of 10), the majority of the study participants (74.4%, n=67) were classified as having adequate knowledge, while 25.6% (n=23) demonstrated inadequate knowledge regarding PPH management. In terms of perceived preparedness, fewer than half of the participants, 34.4% (31) were classified as prepared. diversity of information sources was identified as a significant independent predictor of perceived preparedness (p=0.042) Conclusion: In conclusion, medical interns at SPHMMC possess a strong theoretical foundation in PPH management but remain significantly under-prepared for the practical and psychological demands of clinical emergencies. Addressing this disconnect requires shifting from unguided information-seeking to standardized, simulation-based training. Keywords: PPH, Medical Interns, Preparedness, Obstetric Emergencies, Maternal Health, Cross sectional Study, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Emergency Obstetric Care, Health Professional Education