The Practice and Determinants of Labor Analgesia Among Obstetric Care Providers Working in Three Teaching Hospitals.
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Date
2025
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Addis Ababa Uinverstiy
Abstract
Introduction: Uterine ischemia and intricate neuro-hormonal processes are the causes of labor
pain, which is a physiological and psychological phenomenon. For childbirth experience to be
positive, effective pain management is essential. Despite the existence of international policies
and guidelines aimed at improving maternal care, including the management of labor pain, their
actual implementation is still restricted. Finding the variables that affect medical professionals'
decisions and practices around managing labor pain is a common focus of this field of study.
Objective: To assess the practice and determinants of labor analgesia among obstetric care
providers serving in three academic hospitals located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methodology: Institution based cross-sectional study was employed in three teaching hospitals
of Addis Ababa between November 1/2024 - February 30/2025 G.C. The study subjects were
selected using convenience method and 202 obstetric care workers were proportionally allocated
to respective health facilities. The data was collected by self-administered structured questioner.
The data was entered and analyzed by SPSS version 26.00 for clearing and analysis and Logistic
regression analyses was employed to identify factors associated with the practice of analgesia.
Using 95% CI variables with a p-value <0.05 was identified as statistically significant factors.
Results: Just 19.8% of the obstetric care providers in this study demonstrated good labor
analgesia practices. Being female (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.45–7.60), having more professional
experience (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.81–12.49), having a positive attitude toward labor analgesia
(AOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.81–12.49), and exhibiting sufficient knowledge about labor analgesia
(AOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.47–5.12) were all factors that were significantly associated with better
practice.
Recommendation: - In order to improve the quality of labor pain management, this finding
highlights the need for focused interventions that improve obstetric providers' attitudes and
knowledge while also increasing training opportunities, particularly for male and midwife
providers
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Keywords
Practice and Determinants, Labor Analgesia, Health Care Worker, Pain Management, Maternal Health