Abstract
BackgroundTo explore healthcare providers’ knowledge and attitudes to the need for pain relief for women in labor.MethodsA structured questionnaire (n = 200) distributed to healthcare providers working in the obstetric departments, including theatres, of three public hospitals in different settings (rural, peri-urban and urban) in Ethiopia. Descriptive analysis was performed using Excel 2013 and SPSS version 22 for associations.ResultsThe response rate was 81.5% with 164 questionnaires completed. The majority, 79% of respondents, understood that women can feel moderate to severe pain in labor and 77% were of the opinion that labor pain should be relieved. However, common practices included only supportive measures such as breathing and relaxation exercises, back massage and support from family. The general attitude of healthcare providers is that labor is a natural process, women should be able to cope and that pain relief is not a priority for women in labor. More than half, 52% of healthcare providers had safety concerns with using pharmacological methods to relieve pain in labor.ConclusionThe majority of healthcare providers understand that women suffer significant pain during labor. However, providing effective pain relief is currently not provided as part of routine intra-partum care in Ethiopia.
Highlights
To explore healthcare providers’ knowledge and attitudes to the need for pain relief for women in labor
Synopsis most healthcare providers understand that women suffer significant pain during labor
The majority of Healthcare providers (HCP) understood that women can feel moderate to severe pain in labor and most HCPs felt that labor pain should be relieved
Summary
To explore healthcare providers’ knowledge and attitudes to the need for pain relief for women in labor. Childbirth, fulfilling, can be a very painful experience for women. In many high income countries (HIC), pain relief in labor is considered an essential part of intra-partum care and all women have the choice of and access to a range of pain relief options for labor and delivery [1]. The provision of further pain relief in labor is often neglected, against a background of controversy over the need, advantages and disadvantages of pain relief, especially pharmacological options [3]. A lack of awareness, misunderstanding regarding acceptability, safety and availability of pain relief options are considered to be the main reasons why women in many LMIC such as Ethiopia, do not receive adequate pain relief [3, 4]
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