Knowledge and attitude towards anesthesia for cesarean section and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care: A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND: Cesarean section is an effective technique for preventing maternal and perinatal mortality when performed properly. Evidence suggested that pregnant women who have had good knowledge about their condition are able to participate in shared decision-making and can alleviate fears related to anesthesia. However, only a few studies have been conducted in Ethiopia assess the level of knowledge and attitude of pregnant women towards anesthesia for cesarean section. METHODS: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 18 to June 25, 2021. A total of 362 pregnant women attending antenatal care were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data using pretested and structured questionnaires. For statistical analysis, both bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression models were used. The adjusted odds ratio was used as the measure of association. At the 95% confidence level, a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 354 pregnant women from the ANC clinic participated, with a response rate of 97.8%. The overall proportion of good knowledge and a positive attitude towards anesthesia for cesarean section was 56.5% (95% CI: 51.4%, 61.9%) and 50.8% (95% CI: 45.8%, 56.2%), respectively. Pregnant women who had previous operations (AOR = 4.47, 95% CI: 1.77, 11.32) and had anesthesia-related health information (AOR = 10.06, 95% CI: 5.41, 18.69) had significantly better knowledge of anesthesia for cesarean section. Pregnant women who had secondary education (AOR = 6.71, 95% CI: 1.19, 37.99), college and above education (AOR = 13.63, 95% CI: 2.26, 82.21), and had health information about anesthesia (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.77) significantly associated with a positive attitude towards anesthesia for CS. CONCLUSION: This finding indicates that a significant number of pregnant women continue to have inadequate knowledge and attitudes towards anesthesia for CS. Previous operations and anesthesia-related health information were significantly associated with knowledge, whereas higher education and anesthesia-related health information were significantly associated with a positive attitude towards anesthesia for cesarean section. Health professionals must provide anesthesia-related health information to mothers with CS indications during ANC visits and in operating theater areas.