INTRODUCTION
However, fulfilling as it may be, childbirth is a painful experience for
many parturients [1, 2, 3, 4]. Among the various forms of labour
pain management, epidural labour analgesia is by far the gold standard
technique [4, 5]. This suggests that epidural labour analgesia is
worthwhile since it effectively relieves labour pain. Despite the many
advantages of epidural labour analgesia, it has not been fully accepted
and is not routinely practised in health facilities in developing
countries [6]. The low patronage of epidural labour analgesia
services could partially be attributed to lack of awareness, limited
resources or lack of equipment such as patient monitors, local
anaesthetics or analgesics and overwhelming patient numbers [6, 7].
Labour analgesia is the most effective method for restoring normal
uterine activity [8]. Relieving pain during childbirth decreases
blood stress hormone release and thereby increase tissue perfusion in
healthy parturient [7]. Multiple randomized controlled trials
comparing epidural analgesia with other forms of labour pain management
have demonstrated adequate maternal pain relief and higher maternal
satisfaction among the epidural group [9]. Developed countries are
challenged with the choice and complications of epidural labour
analgesia, whereas in developing countries, the issue revolves around
awareness, acceptability, and availability of epidural labour analgesia
service [10]. In Ghana, epidural labour analgesia services are not
readily available at the maternity units. Recently, teams of medical
volunteers from the USA found problems related to understanding and the
appropriate use of pain control during childbirth at one of Ghana’s
largest obstetric units. At the delivery unit of the Tamale Teaching
Hospital, we recently introduced epidural labour analgesia service and
observed very low patronage. Many parturients in Ghana go through
childbirth without labour pain control. Severe labour pain can have
deleterious effects on both the mother and the fetus [11].
Availability and high patronage of epidural labour analgesia at the
maternity units in Ghana may help reduce maternal related complications.
This study aimed to investigate determinants of woman’s choice for
epidural labour analgesia use at the delivery unit of the Tamale
Teaching Hospital.