Global burden, disparities, and determinants of postpartum haemorrhage among women who gave birth: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Abstract
Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a preventable yet leading cause of maternal death, demanding urgent attention and action. Every year, tens of thousands of women die from postpartum haemorrhage a tragedy that is both preventable and unacceptable. Each maternal death represents a systemic failure. This umbrella review consolidates global evidence on burden, disparities, and determinants of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) to inform policymaker's evidence decision making.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted between July 30 and August 15, 2025, across PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, Cochrane, and related review databases to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the prevalence, disparities, and determinants of postpartum haemorrhage among women who gave birth. Study quality was assessed using the AMSTAR tool. Heterogeneity was examined with Cochran's Q and I², publication bias via Egger's test and funnel plots, and pooled effect sizes estimated through random-effects meta-analysis using Stata 19. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251121022).
Result: This umbrella review included 17 systematic reviews with sample size of over 21 million women to estimate the global pooled prevalence of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) at 9.97% (95% CI: 6.90%-13.04%), with (p p p < 0.001, indicating that nearly 1 in 20 women experience life-threatening bleeding after childbirth.This study identified key risk factors for…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 21 participants or records.
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