Skilled health attendants’ knowledge and practice of pain management during labour in health care facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Skilled health attendants occupy an important position in the management of women's pain during labour. Their professional goal is to ensure safety and minimum pain in labour. It has been revealed that nurse-midwives are deficient in knowledge and practice of pain management during labour. Hence, this study examined skilled health attendants' knowledge and practice of pain management in health care facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 227 skilled health attendants, in the maternity units of the three purposively selected hospitals for 12 weeks. A structured questionnaire and observational check lists were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and significants level was set with p<0.05. RESULTS Results on respondents' level of knowledge revealed that 6% had low knowledge, 40.5% moderate, and 56.8% had a high level. The majority, 79.7%, were registered nurse-midwives (RN/RM) and 90.1% employed reassurance for pain relief. No significant associations were found between respondents' level of education and reassurance, exercise, allay of fear, use of drugs, and TENS (p>0.05). However, there were significant associations between respondents' educational level and rubbing of back/ massage, position change, cold/warm bath, relaxation, and social support (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS It is recommended that seminars and workshops should be organized regularly and assessment tools should be supplied, to enhance effective pain assessment as this will provide adequate and holistic labour-pain management by nurse-midwives.

Utilization of pharmacological labour analgesia: a survey of obstetric care providers in eastern Ethiopia

“…In this study, the main barriers for labouring women receiving pain relief included high patient flow, limited staff, a lack of knowledge and skill, no drugs available and no equipment available. This is in line with studies done in Nigeria, 28 , 29 Egypt 16 and the Amhara region. 18 These findings indicated that a weak healthcare system, weak facility organizations and limited distribution of resources limit access to maternal health services.…”

Non-pharmacological labor pain management practice and associated factors among skilled attendants working in public health facilities in Gamo and Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

“…The finding of this study is lower than the studies conducted in Nigeria (48.4%), and Tigray Region, North Ethiopia (43.4%) [ 1 , 23 ] respectively. The discrepancy might be due to the difference in health facilities and sample size It was consistent with studies done in Bangladesh and Ghana where allowing laboring women to move freely, showing the patient how to bear down, allowing companionship, and massaging the back was the most applied non-pharmacologic pain relief methods [ 2 , 24 ]. But it was inconsistent with the study done in Nairobi [ 21 ].…”

Provision of labour analgesia and its related barriers among maternal health care providers in Kenya: An institution-based descriptive survey.

“…This proportion of labour analgesia practice may be considered inadequate considering the tertiary health institution status and might allude to a lesser provision of pain relief in lower tier facilities in Kenya. These gures are, however, in contrast to similar studies conducted in Ibadan, Nigeria, at 34.4%, and Hawassa, Ethiopia, at 13.8% (10,16). The difference in practice might be due to the inclusion of different-tier public health care institutions in the preceding studies and, consequently, a difference in the knowledge and availability of resources.…”