Awareness and desire for epidural analgesia in labour among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Jos University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Pain relief is an integral part of labour management. Epidural analgesia is the goal standard in labour, however not readily available in most Nigerian obstetrics units. There is little information on the views of pregnant women on epidural analgesia.
Methods: A sample of 152 consenting pregnant women from 28 weeks of gestation and above attending the antenatal clinic from 1st September, 2021 to 31st December 2021 in Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Nigeria, were recruited and interviewed via an interviewer's administered questionnaire. The interview questions included demographic characteristics and questions assessing the awareness and desire for epidural analgesia in labour.
Results: 152 women were surveyed, 19(12.5%) were aware of epidural analgesia. Awareness was affected by level of education (_X2 = 43.669; p=0.0001) and parity (_X2 = 25.160; p=0.0001). Majority of the participants 133(87.5%) had poor knowledge on epidural analgesia. 77(81.1%) of the 95 study participants that declined its use was due to cost of epidural analgesia.
Conclusion: Most of the expectant mothers in Jos University Teaching Hospital were unaware of the role epidural analgesia plays in pain alleviation in labour and were not willing to try it when in labour; due to its cost and the fear of side effects. However, awareness level needs to be improved and for this purpose, evidence-based information on epidural analgesia should be provided during the antenatal period to improve knowledge and attitude regarding epidural analgesia.