Perception, practice and associated factors of labour pain management among obstetric care providers in public health facilities in Harari Region, Ethiopia: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Background Although providing relief from labour pain can improve the mother's satisfaction with the birthing process and lead to better reproductive outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the perceptions, practices and related aspects of labour pain management among obstetric care providers in public health institutions in the Harari Region of Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the labour and delivery wards of public health facilities in the Harari Region. Data were collected using a semi-structured and pretested self-administered questionnaire among systematically selected obstetrics care providers (OCPs). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with the practice of labour pain management. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to determine the strength of associations and a p-value <0.05 was considered significantly associated. Results Data from 234 OCPs were employed for analysis. A total of 70.9% of OCPs have positive perceptions and 69.7% practiced labour pain management in the past 4 weeks. Being a female (adjusted OR [aOR] 2.33 [95% CI 1.06 to 5.15]), having a positive perception (aOR 7.76 [95% CI 3.21 to 18.72]), being a physician (aOR 6.35 [95% CI 1.94 to 20.82]), being a midwife (aOR 5.28 [95% CI 1.78 to 15.63]) and being a highly qualified OCP (aOR 17.89 [95% CI 5.22 to 61.30]) were associated with being more likely to practice labour pain management. Positive attitude (aOR 2.77 [95% CI 1.51 to 8.72]), being a physician (aOR 6.01 [95% CI 1.23 to 29.35]) and practicing labour pain management (aOR 12.89 [95% CI 4.57 to 36.38]) were associated with labour pain management perceptions. Conclusions Seven of ten OCPs practiced labour pain relief methods and had a positive perception of managing labour pain. Therefore, facilitating training and improving the perceptions and attitudes of OCPs towards labour pain management should be encouraged.