Table 1

Baseline characteristics of participants

Tamponade+misoprostol (n=57)Misoprostol alone (n=59)
Median (IQR) age (years)27(22–33)27(24–32)
Multiparous40/57(70)40/59(68)
Multiple pregnancy6/57(10)4/59(7)
Labour induced7/57(12)7/59(12)
Labour augmented14/57(25)17/59(29)
Spontaneous vaginal birth57/57(100)59/59(100)
Place of delivery
 Primary healthcare facility11/57(19)12/59(20)
 District hospital9/57(16)9/59(15)
 Tertiary/teaching hospital37/57(65)38/59(64)
Median (IQR) birth weight of neonate (g)3100(2633–3500)3000(2725–3200)
Abruptio placentae3/57(5)2/59(3)
Intrauterine death8/57(14)6/59(10)
Preventive oxytocin52/57(91)55/59(93)
PPH diagnosis within 120 min of birth44/57(77)44/59(75)
Qualified staff* available within 15 min of PPH diagnosis49/57(86)53/59(90)
Estimated blood loss≥1000 mL
 At PPH diagnosis time8/57(14)8/59(14)
 At randomisation time23/55(42)15/58(26)
Oxytocin use for PPH treatment57/57(100)57/59(97)
 Oxytocin within 10 min of diagnosis43/57(75)45/57(79)
 Median (IQR) dose of oxytocin (UI)30(20–40)30(20–40)
  • Values are number with characteristic/number in group (percentage) unless stated otherwise.

  • *At least one doctor and one midwife.

  • PPH, postpartum haemorrhage; IU, international unit.