Empowering midwives to manage postpartum haemorrhage in rural areas of Islamic Republic of Iran: lessons learnt from cases of maternal death.

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage is the main cause of maternal mortality in rural areas of low-income countries.

Aims: This study investigated the causes of maternal death from postpartum haemorrhage in rural areas of Sistan and Baluchestan, Islamic Republic of Iran, and determined the effect of three interventions on midwives' management of haemorrhage.

Methods: Maternal deaths in women with postpartum haemorrhage between 9 April 2012 and 9 April 2013 were reviewed to determine what contributed to the death.

Substance Abuse and its Associated Factors among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Southeast of Iran.

Background: The data on the prevalence of substance abuse in Iranian pregnant women is scarce in the current literature. This study investigated the prevalence of and the factors associated with substance abuse among pregnant women, and compared self-reported use with urine test results.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included data for 2000 pregnant women admitted to a tertiary care hospital in the southeast of Iran.

Hospitalized Pregnant Women Who Leave Against Medical Advice: Attributes and Reasons.

Objectives: To identify the contributing factors for discharge against medical advice (DAMA) among pregnant women in Sistan and Balouchestan Province, southeastern Iran.

Methods: This hospital-based case-control study included a total of 168 DAMA pregnant women and 191 pregnant women who left hospital with medical approval. The participants were recruited between August 2012 and August 2013.