Assessing women’s knowledge on the use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief during labour at Tema General Hospital

In many low-resource settings like Ghana, labour pain is often endured without adequate relief due to limited access to information and services. Understanding women’s knowledge is crucial for improving maternal care and empowering women during childbirth. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 215 postpartum women at Tema General Hospital in Ghana. Using interviewer-administered questionnaires, we assessed knowledge of pain relief methods, identified information sources, and explored perceived benefits. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariate logistic regression. Significant knowledge gaps were identified, with only 55% of women aware of any pain relief methods. Education was the strongest knowledge associated factor; women with tertiary education had nearly three times the odds of adequate knowledge compared to those with primary education. The internet (15.3%) was the most common information source, surpassing healthcare providers (midwives and doctors combined: <16%). While epidural anesthesia was recognized by 48.3%, awareness of low-intervention methods like upright birthing positions was critically low (4.2%). Women viewed pharmacological methods primarily for pain minimization and non-pharmacological approaches for safety, indicating limited understanding of holistic benefits. Knowledge of labour pain relief is strongly influenced by education and often sourced outside clinical settings. To address these gaps, we recommend restructuring antenatal education to be more inclusive, training providers in proactive counseling, and leveraging digital tools for credible information. Integrating pain relief as a core component of respectful maternity care is essential for improving childbirth experiences in Ghana and similar contexts.