Awareness of epidural analgesia among pregnant women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and objectiveLabor pain is one of the most severe forms of pain that women experience throughout their lifetime. Many pregnant women decide to have an epidural anesthesia to cope with labor pain. This study has focused on general awareness about epidural anesthesia among pregnant women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional hospital-based study using a self-administered questionnaire, conducted in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center and International Medical Centre. The study was carried out from July to September 2016 and included all pregnant women who were having a routine antenatal care. They were asked about four main topics that tapped their knowledge on epidural anesthesia. A total of 384 questionnaires were returned and analyzed. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 using chi-square and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsAccording to multivariate logistic regression, women aged between 21–35 years were more likely to opt for an epidural anesthesia (EPA) than those aged less than 20 years, but women aged >35 years were less likely to select EPA, compared with women < 20 years old. Women who were previously exposed to EPA were 2.14 times more likely to prefer EPA during their current pregnancy than those who were not previously exposed (O.R 95% C.I: 1.123–3.66, p=0.006). Those who believed that EPA was commonly used by other women in the Kingdom were also 1.41 times more likely to report their preference to EPA (O.R 95% C.I: 1.15–1.74, p=0.001).ConclusionThis study demonstrates a lack of knowledge about EPA in certain countries but is better than in some other countries. In an aim to fill this gap, it is recommended that information about EPA must be given to all women during the antenatal visit either by the obstetrician, anesthetist, or through flyers and brochures.

Epidural Labor Analgesia Is Associated with a Decreased Risk of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in Trial of Labor after Cesarean: A Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Study

“…In our study, the labor pain was evaluated during labor at 5 stages and the pain scores were significantly lower in parturients who received epidural analgesia than those who did not (Table 2), and corresponding incidence rate of PPD is relatively lower. In this study, although remifentanil could rapidly cross the placenta into the fetal circulation, we did not use remifentanil for the method of application of women, help parturients establish confidence in natural labor, improve the rate of natural childbirth, reduce the adverse effects of pain on mother and baby, increase the rate of eutocia, increase blood flow to the placenta, improve fetal oxygen supply, relieve adverse reaction of labor pain, reduce or eliminate the parturients' childbirth pain, reduce maternal unnecessary physical consumption, maintain the dignity of parturients' childbirth, and let parturients enjoy the joy of child labor [30][31][32]. e overall painless labor analgesia rate of this study was 62.17%.…”

Pregnant Women’s Knowledge and Attitudes toward Epidural Anesthesia in Saudi Arabia

“…5,6,16,17 In Saudi Arabia, Gari et al found that older age, prior exposure to EA, attitudes towards EA were significant factors predicting the use of EPA among Saudi pregnant women in Jeddah. 4 Currently, there are no similar studies in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia; therefore, this study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes towards EA in a sample of pregnant women from Jazan, Saudi Arabia.…”

“…If administered timely, EA relives about 90% to 95% of the labor pain, depending on type of medication and quantity . 4 Little is known about pregnant women's awareness of EA use during labor. 5,6 Studies from different parts of the world showed gaps in the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women towards EA.…”

“…5,6 Studies from different parts of the world showed gaps in the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women towards EA. 3,4,[7][8][9] a study from the United Arab Emirates found that almost half (49.2%) of the 254 pregnant women refused to have EA during labor. 10 In a study using a sample of Nigerian women attending antenatal clinics, the authors found that participants with good knowledge about EA represented 43.3%.…”

“…12 Lack of awareness of EPA among pregnant women could be explained by several factors, including cultural variations, ignorance about the benefits of EA, and inadequate service, among other factors. 4,[13][14][15] Socio Economic issues, personal attitudes, experience, education, and obstetric factors have also been linked to the level of knowledge about EPA among pregnant women. 5,6,16,17 In Saudi Arabia, Gari et al found that older age, prior exposure to EA, attitudes towards EA were significant factors predicting the use of EPA among Saudi pregnant women in Jeddah.…”