ReviewHealth science reports2026
Labor Pain Management Practices and Associated Factors Among Licensed Obstetric Care Providers in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Review in Health science reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
29 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
Background and Aims: Labor pain is a multidimensional experience influenced by emotional, cognitive, and cultural factors. It can be managed using pharmacological, non-pharmacological, or combined approaches. Licensed obstetric care providers (OCPs) are ethically obligated to ensure maternal comfort while safeguarding fetal safety. Evidence on labor pain management practices (LPMP) in Ethiopia remains inconsistent, as prior studies often included students or had unclear inclusion criteria. This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the pooled prevalence of LPMP among licensed OCPs, identified associated factors, and examined trends before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We searched major databases and repositories for studies published between January 1, 2018 and October 3, 2025. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist and modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, with inter-rater reliability analyses. Meta-analysis was conducted in STATA 17 using random or fixed-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q test and quantified with I Results: Twenty studies involving 7,202 participants were included. LPMP prevalence varied substantially across studies and settings. The pooled prevalence of overall LPMP was 46.9% (95% CI: 42.7-51.1; I Conclusion: LPMP prevalence varied considerably across studies and settings. While the pooled estimate suggests that fewer than half of Ethiopian OCPs practiced LPMP, substantial unexplained heterogeneity warrants cautious interpretation. Non-pharmacological methods were more commonly used than pharmacological approaches, highlighting opportunities to strengthen provider training, institutional support, and resource availability.
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