Non-pharmacological labor pain management and associated factor among skilled birth attendants in Amhara Regional State health institutions, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare providers have a responsibility to provide pain management support to women during labor. Labor pain management in low and middle income countries primarily relies on non-pharmacological methods, as there is little access to pharmacologic pain management. This study aimed to determine the utilization of non-pharmacological labor pain management (NPLPM) and associated factors among skilled birth attendants (SBAs) in Amhara Regional State health institutions, Ethiopia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 592 SBAs working in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia. A multistage sampling was used to collect data using a pretested interview-administered questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was done to characterize the study population. Logistic regression was used to model predictors of NPLPM utilization among SBAs, including age, qualifications, type of medical institution, knowledge, attitudes, and the presence of a protocol.

RESULT

Nearly forty seven percent 277(46.8%) of SBAs in the study cohort utilized NPLPM. SBAs who had adequate knowledge of NPLPM had 2.8 times increased odds of using NPLPM than SBAs who had inadequate knowledge. (95%CI 1.89-4.014). SBAs who had a positive attitude had 4.12 times increased odds of using NPLPM than SBAs with a negative attitude (95%CI 2.36, 7.2). SBAs who had labor a pain management protocol in their facility had 3.98 times increased odds of using NPLPM than those who didn't have a labor pain management protocol (95%CI 1.83, 8.62).

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis pointed to a gap in the utilization of NPLPM in the Amhara Region facilities studied. Less than half of SBAs used NPLPM when caring for laboring women. Professional factors related to use of NPLPM included the age of SBAs, their attitudes, level of education, and knowledge concerning pain management. NPLPM was also significantly associated with the availability of labor pain management protocols.