Practice of regional anesthesia and analgesia in Ethiopian hospital

Series of studies have shown that regional anesthesia offers many advantages to the patient care compared to general anesthesia, and the patient has the right to participate in the type of anesthesia techniques planned. Contrastingly, the practice of regional anesthesia in Ethiopia is underutilized and the patient choice of regional blocks limited. The aim of this study was to assess both the extent of practice and need for training in regional anesthesia among anesthetists practicing in Ethiopian public hospital. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted for 28 days from November 5, 2014 to December 2, 2014. An online survey questionnaire was circulated to one hundred and five anesthetists currently involved in clinical service in the country. Questions concerned on the extent of practice, barrier to perform and need for training workshops. Among one hundred and five anesthesia providers that participated in the survey, 61% of anesthetists are practicing regional anesthesia mainly in the operation theatre while 39% had never utilized any type of blocks and only 25.7% used nerve stimulation guidance, while the use of ultrasound or x-ray was zero percent. Of surgical procedures performed under different type of regional anesthesia within the past 2 months by respondent, orthopedic procedures accounts 56 (53.33%) while utilization of regional anesthesia for labour pain was almost nil. 18.1% anesthetists reported they were satisfied with the quality of education received from their education source. Academic qualification of the anesthetists (P = 0.01058), and years of experience of the anesthetists in the field of anesthesia (P < 0.00672) have shown a significant association at P < 0.05. The practice of regional anesthesia in the Ethiopia could be improved, with continuous supply of resource (regional kits and medication) and conduction of workshops in the field of regional anesthesia with special reference to nerve stimulator and ultrasound regional anesthesia blockade techniques.   Key words: Regional anesthesia, post-operative pain, peripheral nerve block, Ethiopia.