Abstract

The use of pharmacological agents for pain relief during labour is now part of standard care in many countries all over the world. Despite its availability, many women especially in developing countries like Nigeria are not aware. The study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitude and utilization of parenteral opioids analgesia during labour among mothers in south east of Nigeria. The study involved 200 women attending antenatal clinics in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State. Eight items questionnaire was used to evaluate study objectives. Demographic characteristics such as age, number of children, and education of the mother were also recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study recorded poor knowledge (32%), attitude (34.5%), and utilization (14%) of pharmacological pain relief during labour among the participants. Few (69; 34.5%) respondents said they would want to use one of the drugs in their next maternal labour. Reasons for noncompliance were labour is a natural pain (42; 32.1%), it is a pathway to becoming a mother (36; 27.5%) and cultural belief (33; 25.2%). Number of children was correlated with the knowledge, attitude and utilization of pain relief while age, tribe and parity have significantly effect on the utilization of pain relief.