On the eve of my departure

I'm posting the abstract of the study that I'm about to try and accomplish. It's in rather boring and scientific terminology - but enjoy if you're interested.

Post partum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality in Zambia and around the world. Active management of third stage labor (AMTSL) can reduce PPH by 60%. The Zambian government supports this practice and has invested in nursing and midwifery training programs. Prior research and anecdotal reports from the field, however, suggest that AMTSL may be practiced in less than 30% of births attended by SBA. The proposed triangulated study uses quantitative and qualitative methodologies to answer these questions: (1) Are skilled birth attendants (SBAs) in Zambia practicing AMTSL? (2) What is the lived practice experience of a skilled birth attendant with the third stage of labor? Data will be collected in two Zambian sites, the Central Ndola Hospital (Copperbelt Province) and the Chilenge Health Center in Lusaka. The quantitative component involves observation of 52 births (26 births at each site) conducted by SBAs and completion of a standardized tool to record utilization of the components of AMTSL. The qualitative component involves interviewing eight SBAs (four from each site) about their knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers encountered when managing the third stage of labor. This study aims to describe current adherence to AMTSL guidelines, and will generate hypothesis regarding barriers to routine use of AMTSL. Knowledge of current practices and information regarding the experiences of SBAs will be useful in the development of future programs to promote AMTSL and other safe motherhood interventions. This study will add to the growing body of literature on the pragmatic implementation of routine use of AMTSL.