Knowledge, Attitude and Practices regarding Labour Analgesia among families in a city of North India.

Dr Ajit Kumar Singh; Dr Gagan Kumar Narula; Dr Subir Mukherjee; Dr Archana Singh

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2020

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices regarding Labour Analgesia among families in a city of North India.

Dr Ajit Kumar Singh, Dr Gagan Kumar Narula, Dr Subir Mukherjee, Dr Archana Singh

Abstract :

Background: Labor pain is one of the most agonizingly severe and unbearable pain, which a parturient has to bear during child birth. Yet, very commonly, this pain is justified in a male dominated society as an inevitable experience which a parturient must undergo, irrespective of cast, creed, culture and country. Is this pain a reward or punishment for having a child? Material and methods: To assess knowledge, awareness, attitude and perception that exists today about labor pain and its labor analgesia (LA) in a population of roughly 50000 people. Respondents belonging to the age of 18 yrs and above, in the population, after obtaining willingness, were interviewed randomly by preset questionnaires about various aspects of labor pain. Results; A total of 1120 people participated in the study and perception, awareness, availability and belief was poor and dismal. 94.2 % were not aware about LA. 60.4% had never heard about labor pain relief. Respondents had various fear and myths about labor pain and relief. Once they were made aware, 96.6% were ready to opt for LA during childbirth. Conclusion: Perception, awareness, availability and belief is still very poor and dismal and needs more public awareness programmes to dispel various myths and beliefs and to increase awareness.