Contagion: Scientific Periodical Journal of Public Health and Coastal Health
Vol 7, No 2 (2025): CONTAGION

The Influence of Nutritional Status on the Incidence of Postpartum Hemorrhage in Three Community Health Centers (CHCs) in Dili, Timor Leste

Alcinda Pinto Fernandes (Universitas Brawijaya, Malang City, East Java, Indonesia)
Novida Ariani (Universitas Brawijaya, Malang City, East Java, Indonesia)
Diadjeng Setya Wardani (Universitas Brawijaya, Malang City, East Java, Indonesia)
Hermes Peguinho (Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal)
Hadidja Binti Ali Hosman Maia (Instituto Superior Cristal (ISC), Dili Timor Leste)
Filomena Soares (Insituto Superior Cristal (ISC))
Mirioldis Matos Rodríguez (Viqueque Municipality Health Service, Timor-Leste)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Aug 2025

Abstract

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a leading cause of maternal mortality in low- and middle-income countries, including Timor-Leste. This analytical cross-sectional study, conducted from January to December 2024 in three community health centers (CHCs) in Dili, examined the association between maternal nutritional status and the incidence of PPH. Nutritional indicators included pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, anemia status, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Data were collected from medical records of 130 postpartum mothers (65 with PPH, 65 without). The prevalence of PPH was 50%. Among participants, 22.1% had anemia (hemoglobin <11 g/dL), 50.8% had MUAC <23.5 cm, and 41.5% had a pre-pregnancy BMI outside the WHO normal range (18.5-24.9 kg/m²). Only 26.4% achieved gestational weight gain within Institute of Medicine guidelines. Logistic regression analysis revealed that anemia significantly increased the risk of PPH (OR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.38-8.40; p = 0.011), while other nutritional indicators showed no significant association. These findings highlight the critical role of antenatal anemia screening and targeted nutritional interventions in reducing PPH risk. This study provides locally relevant evidence to inform maternal health strategies in Timor-Leste. Keywords: Postpartum hemorrhage, Pre-pregnancy BMI, weight gain, Mid-Upper Arm Circumference, Antenatal Care, Community health center

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Journal Info

Abbrev

contagion

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Public Health

Description

Contagion: Scientific Periodical Journal of Public Health and Coastal Health, A Scientific Periodic Journal of Public Health published by the Public health Study Program of The Faculty of Public Health UINSU Medan. This Journal prioritiez the collaboration of lecturers and students with scope of the ...