CHALLENGES TO IMPLEMENTATION OF NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL STRATEGIES IN MANAGEMENT OF PAIN IN LABOR: A STUDY AMONG MIDWIVES IN LUBAGA HOSPITAL, KAMPALA DISTRICT. A CROSS- SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background:
The study investigated the challenges to the implementation of non-pharmacological strategies in the management of pain in labor among midwives in Lubaga Hospital Kampala District. The focus of the research was on midwives, health facilities, and maternal-related challenges.
Methodology:
The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design where a purposive sampling procedure technique was used to obtain a sample of 30 respondents. Data was collected with the use of a questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed quantitatively using Microsoft Excel (2013) and results were presented in the form of tables, figures, and pie charts.
Results:
The majority, 17(60%) of the midwives expressed no need for reducing such pain and therefore, this is a midwife-related challenge to the use of NPLPM. Few of the respondents, 14(46.7%) revealed that uncooperative staff is a health facility-related challenge, while 19(63.3%) reported that, inadequate staff against the high number of mothers in labor is a health facility challenge, 20(67%) reported lack of special training of staff as a health facility related challenge.  Majority, 27(90%) reported that socio-economic status is a maternal-related challenge to the implementation of NPLPM.
Conclusion:
Midwives’ believe that there is no need to reduce such pain hence being the greatest midwife challenge. Lack of special training of staff in non-pharmacological pain management is the greatest health facility-related challenge while low socio-economic status is the greatest maternal-related challenge to implementation of NPLPM.
Recommendation:
CMEs should be done to acquit midwives with the knowledge on the use of NPLPM. Health facilities to employ enough midwives who will be able to work on the number of women in labor to ensure the proper use of NPLPM. Furthermore, midwives should embark on using affordable non-pharmacological strategies in the management of pain women go through during labor hence solving the maternal-related factors affecting the implementation of NPLPM.