Non-pharmacological labor pain management practice and associated factors among skilled attendants working in public health facilities in Gamo and Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Labor pain management is crucial to ensure the quality of obstetric care but it is one of the neglected areas in obstetrics. This study aimed to assess the practice of labor pain management and associated factors among skilled attendants working in public health facilities in Southern, Ethiopia from November 1–January 26, 2019. METHODS: An Institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from November 1–January 26, 2019. A simple random sampling technique was used to select a total of 272 obstetric care providers. Data were collected using pretested, and structured questionnaires. Data were entered to Epi data version 3.1 statistical software and exported to SPSS 22 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors. P-value <0.05 with 95% confidence level were used to declare statistical significance. RESULT: Overall, 37.5% (95%CI: 32%, 43%) of health care providers had a good practice on non-pharmacological labor pain management. Clinical experience of 5 years and above (AOR = 2.91, 95%CI: 1.60, 5.42), favorable attitude (AOR = 2.82, 95%CI: 1.56, 5.07), midwife profession (AOR = 1.45, 95%CI: 1.98, 4.27), and working in satisfactory delivery rooms (AOR = 3.45, 95%CI: 2.09, 7.43), were significantly associated with a health professional good practice of labor pain management. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the practice of non-pharmacological labor pain management was poor in public health facilities in Gamo and Gofa zone. It was observed that having a favorable attitude, having ≥5 years of work experience, being a midwife by professional, and having a satisfactory delivery room were found to be significant predictors of the practice of non -pharmacological labor pain management. Therefore, all health facilities and concerned bodies need efforts to focus on providing training to midwives on non-pharmacological labor pain management practice.