Active management of third stage of labor practice and associated factors among skilled birth attendants in Gamo and Gofa zone, Southern, Ethiopia

Background Active management of third stage of labour is evidence based inexpensive and effective intervention for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage which is the leading cause of maternal mortality in low and middle income countries. In spite of this technique being espoused in Ethiopia and internationally, its actual practice and factors influencing its practice were yet to be established.Objective The aim of this study was to assess status of active management of third stage of labor practice and associated factors among skilled birth Attendants in public health facilities of Gamo and Gofa zone, southern EthiopiaMethods Facility based cross-sectional study design was employed on 356 skilled birth attendants working in public health facilities of Gamo and Gofa zone. Semi- structured questionnaire with observational checklist was used to collect the data. Data was checked and entered into Epi info version 7 then exported to statically package for social science version 24 for analysis. Univariate, Bivariate and multivariable analysis with 95% CI was carried out.Result The finding of the study revealed that 48.1% of the skilled care providers were good practice towards active management of third stage of labour with 95% CI (43-53). Skilled birth attendants having clinical experience of 7 years and above were 2.52 times more likely performed good practice than others [AOR=7.00(95%CI, 1.82,7.75)] and those skilled birth attendants taken in service training were 2.55 times more likely performed good practice than others [AOR=2.55(95%CI, 1.99,6.56)]. In addition to this those skilled birth attendants who were working in favorable delivery rooms were 1.86 times more likely performed good practice than others [AOR= 1.86(95%CI, 1.32-2.24)]Conclusion The finding of this study showed that the practice of active management of third stage of labour was poor. Clinical year of experience, having conducive delivery room and taking in –service training on active of third management of labour were some of the factors associated with good practice. So crating satisfactory delivery room and providing training on active of third management of labour is very important to enhance their knowledge and skill of birth attendant.