KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION, AND UTILIZATION OF OBSTETRIC EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA FOR LABOUR PAIN MANAGEMENT: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL AT UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR TEACHING HOSPITAL.

Background: Obstetric epidural anesthesia is a widely used technique for managing labor pain, offering effective relief while allowing women to remain conscious during childbirth. Despite its benefits, utilization remains suboptimal, often hindered by knowledge gaps, misconceptions, and healthcare system barriers. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, and utilization of obstetric epidural anesthesia among pregnant women at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). Method: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial design was employed, targeting pregnant women aged 15 to 49 years. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group, receiving obstetric epidural anesthesia during labour, or a control group, following standard pain management protocols. Simple random sampling selected participants, and data were collected via structured questionnaires administered at baseline, postintervention, and during postpartum follow-up, along with clinical assessments. Results: Awareness of obstetric epidural anesthesia was high, with 97.6% of intervention group participants and 95.2% of control group participants informed about it. Positive perceptions of its effectiveness for labour pain relief were notably higher in the intervention group (48.8%) compared to the control group (27.7%). Utilization rates were also high, with 81.7% of the intervention group and 85.5% of the control group reporting prior use. Conclusion: This randomized trial demonstrated that targeted antenatal education significantly improved women's knowledge and perception of epidural anesthesia and promoted its informed utilization. These findings support integrating pain management education into routine antenatal care in Nigeria. These results underscore the need for comprehensive education and counseling strategies to empower pregnant women in making informed decisions about pain management during childbirth, ultimately enhancing their birth experience and satisfaction.The findings highlight the importance of education and counseling in enhancing knowledge, perception, and utilization of obstetric epidural anesthesia among pregnant women. Integrating targeted awareness strategies into antenatal care is essential for addressing misconceptions and optimizing labour pain management, ultimately improving maternal health outcomes.