Awareness, knowledge and attitude about labor analgesia among providers and parturients; a survey based study

Abstract

Background & Objectives:  American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) state that there is no other circumstance where it is considered acceptable for a person to experience severe pain, amenable to safe intervention, while under a physician’s care. In our country the practice of providing adequate pain relief during labor is confined to a handful healthcare institutions. We conducted this survey based study to assess the awareness, knowledge and attitude of pregnant women, obstetricians and anaesthesiologists about labor analgesia and to identify the barriers to widespread utilisation of labor analgesia in Puducherry, India.
Methodology: A questionnaire about their experience and practice, concerns and barriers in practice of labor analgesia was distributed to anesthesiologists and obstetricians working in medical colleges including the postgraduates and private hospitals in Puducherry, India and their responses were collected. A different set of questionnaire regarding awareness of labor analgesia and its effects was prepared in English and in local language and distributed to antenatal mothers attending the antenatal clinic and their responses were collected.