Effectiveness of skilled birth attendant training and nurse mentoring program on competency in postpartum hemorrhage management in Kanpur Division, Uttar Pradesh

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains one of the most preventable causes of maternal mortality, especially in low-resource settings such as India. Strengthening the skills and competencies of frontline nursing staff through structured training and mentoring programs is essential to reduce PPH-related deaths. The Skilled Birth Attendant (SBA) training initiative, supported by nurse mentoring, aims to improve knowledge, practice, and emergency response in obstetric care. Objectives: To assess the impact of Skilled Birth Attendant (SBA) training combined with nurse mentoring on the knowledge, practice, and skill competency of healthcare providers managing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in selected public health facilities of Kanpur Division, Uttar Pradesh. Methods: A descriptive evaluation study was conducted among 62 SBA-trained staff nurses working at PHC, CHC, CHC-FRU, and District Women Hospital facilities. Data were collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire, practice checklist, and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) for skills assessment. Descriptive statistics, including mean and percentage scores, were used for analysis. Results: The mean knowledge score was 76.6%, practice score 72.6%, and skill score 63.1%, yielding an overall competency of 70.8%. The findings show that SBA training improved theoretical knowledge, whereas nurse mentoring enhanced clinical practice and procedural confidence. Facilities with regular mentoring sessions demonstrated higher skill performance and adherence to PPH management protocols. Conclusion: SBA training coupled with structured nurse mentoring significantly enhances the competency of nursing staff in managing PPH. However, periodic simulation-based practice, continuous mentoring, and refresher training are essential to sustain skill performance and reduce preventable maternal mortality.