Utilization of Labour Pain Management Strategies and Associated Barriers Encountered Among Health Professionals: A Hospital Based CrossSectional Study

Abstract

Background: Pain relief modalities during labour are an essential part of the labour process. Aim: This study aimed to determine the most common barriers encountered among obstetric health professionals regarding utilization of labour pain relief methods. Study Design: Hospital-based, cross- sectional study design was utilized. Sample: Purposive sampling technique was used to enroll 234 health professional personnel. Setting: This study conducted in maternity units in Minya Governorate including Minya Maternity and Children University Hospital. Methods: Data were collected by using a structured, selfadministrated questionnaire which was designed for this research. Results: most of the participants (98.7%) thought that hospitalrelated barriers were the main barrier encountered among participants regarding utilization of both pharmacological and no pharmacological methods of pain relief. Followed by mixed barriers fluctuating between hospital, patient and clinician related barriers (74.3%). Respectively Conclusion and recommendations: the main barrier is health care services. Directed research is urgently needed to assess the attitude of women and HPs towards the use of pain relief during labour, especially in the LRSs