Exploring Obstetric Analgesia in Labor Management: Assessing Knowledge and Usage Among Midwives in North-Central Nigeria.

Abstract

Background and objective: Obstetric pain is one of the most severe forms of pain a woman may experience during childbirth. Due to the debilitating effects of excruciating labor discomfort, pain management continues to be an important issue that requires attention. This study assessed the knowledge and utilization of obstetric analgesia in labor-management among midwives in public healthcare facilities in the north-central region of Nigeria.

Methods: This study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. One hundred twenty-three respondents who met the inclusion criteria were selected using the purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at a 0.05 level of significance.

Results: The results revealed that the respondents' overall knowledge of obstetric analgesia was adequate. The findings also revealed that more than half of the midwives have previously utilized obstetric analgesia to manage labor pain. However, the frequency of utilization of obstetric analgesia was low. A significant association was found between utilization of obstetric analgesia in labor and knowledge (χ² = 16.582, p < 0.001) as well as years of experience (χ² = 17.280, p < 0.015) and nursing rank (χ² = 36.579, p < 0.000); since the p-value < 0.05 significance.

Conclusion and global health implications: Therefore, it was recommended that midwives should be encouraged to frequently utilize obstetric analgesia to manage labor pain in order to improve the birth experience and outcome and to prevent the adverse effects that come with severe labor pain. Furthermore, the government should create policies that favor the utilization of obstetric analgesia in parturition, and midwives should incorporate the benefits of obstetric analgesia into the health education of pregnant women during antenatal counseling to promote its usage.