title: Knowledge, attitude and practice of parturients regarding Epidural Analgesia for labour in a university hospital in Karachi.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the knowledge, sources of knowledge, attitude (fears and misconceptions) regarding Epidural Analgesia (EA) and practices of parturients delivery at Aga Khan University hospital (AKUH).
  
  
  METHODS
  A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted at the obstetric unit of AKUH, from November to December 2003. A questionnaire was filled through verbal interviews conducted on 448 parturients fulfilling the inclusion criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy six percent of the females were aware of epidural analgesia as a labor pain relieving method. However, only 19% availed EA. About 40% had heard about EA from their obstetricians and 64% from friends or relatives. Twenty even percent believed that EA has detrimental effects on the baby while 9% stated that EA can prolong the duration of labour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Majority of the pregnant females delivering at Aga Khan University Hospital were aware of epidural analgesia for labour. However, only a small proportion are availing this service, due to fears and misconceptions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Aga Khan University, Karachi.
authors.forename: Mohammed Raheel
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Minhas
authors.forename: Rehana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.forename: Gauhar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Afshan
authors.forename: Hafsa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Raheel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D048949:Labor Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010154:Pakistan; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires