UTILIZATION OF OBSTETRIC ANALGESIA FOR LABOUR PAIN MANAGEMENT AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG OBSTETRIC CARE PROVIDERS AT HOSPITALS OF WEST ARSI AND ARSI ZONES, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA, 2023

Abstract

Introduction: The pain a woman feels during labor and delivery is unique to her. Several organizations have stated that it is unacceptable for clients to experience untreated severe pain, and obstetric analgesia should be provided upon request by mothers. In developing countries, most women continue to experience painful labor despite the availability of methods. The factor for utilization remains inconsistent in previous studies, and they did not assess client factors as a reason for the non-use of obstetric analgesia by care providers and majority of them excluded private hospitals. This study aimed to close this gap and assessed utilization of obstetric analgesia for labour pain management and factors associated. Objectives: The study assessed utilization of obstetric analgesia for labor pain management and associated factors among obstetric care providers in the hospitals of West Arsi and Arsi zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, 2023. Methods: The final sample size for the study were 421. A facility based cross sectional study was conducted among obstetric care providers in the hospitals of West Arsi and Arsi zone, from March 10 to April 20, 2023. Structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from study participants. Data was entered into Epi data statistical software version 3.1 and were exported to SPSS window version 26 for analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis like frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation was done. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with utilization of obstetric analgesia. P value <0.05 with 95% CI was considered to declare association. Result: Of the 421 participants enrolled in the study, 413 completed and returned a response, yielding a response rate of 98.1%. From the total participants in the study, 216(52.3%) [(CI: 47.46 57.14)] of them utilized obstetric analgesia in the previous month. Sex [AOR: 1.86(CI: 1.14-3.04)], working in general hospital [AOR: 2.86(CI: 1.41-5.80) and primary hospital [AOR: 3.89(CI: 1.85 8.17)], adequate knowledge [AOR: 1.94(CI: 1.05-3.57)], and favorable attitude [AOR: 6.92(CI: 3.97-12.06)] were found to have a significant association. Conclusion and Recommendation: The utilization of obstetric analgesia in this study was low compared to previous studies. Creating a suitable environment by empowering health professional’s knowledge and attitude regarding labor management method is necessary.