The Effect of a Culturally Sensitive Educational Intervention on Acceptance of Neuraxial Anesthesia

Study Summary

The purpose of this study is to see if an educational intervention provided to pregnant women in early labor has an effect on their decision to use epidural anesthesia for relief of labor pain. The study will also investigate differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women in their attitudes and beliefs regarding epidurals in labor. Previous studies have shown that Hispanic women receive epidural anesthesia in labor much less frequently than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. The investigators hypothesize that the rate of epidural use will be higher in subjects who receive the educational intervention than in those who do not. Women who have been admitted to the OHSU labor and delivery unit will be screened for study eligibility. In order to minimize the influence of socioeconomic factors, only women receiving Medicaid will be enrolled. Other inclusion criteria include age of at least 18 years, having a fetus of at least 24 weeks gestational age, and being categorized as American Society of Anesthesiologist category 1 to 3. Exclusion criteria include any condition that either excludes or mandates neuraxial anesthesia. Midwife patients are also excluded from this study. Those who meet study criteria will be approached by a member of the study team and informed consent will be obtained. Subjects will be randomly assigned to receive an educational intervention about epidurals or no educational intervention. Hispanic and non-Hispanic subjects will be randomized separately, yielding four study groups (Hispanic - intervention; Hispanic - control; non-Hispanic - intervention, non-Hispanic - control). The investigators expect to enroll approximately 176 women, 44 in each group. All subjects will complete a survey in early labor and again 1 to 2 days postpartum that asks about common beliefs and misconceptions regarding epidurals. Subjects in the intervention group will receive an educational pamphlet and watch a video in their native language (spanish or en

Primary Outcome

The primary aim of this study is to determine if women that receive focused education on epidural labor pain management in the form of a pamphlet and video are more likely to decide to use an epidural. The investigators will also compare the effect of the intervention on hispanic women to the effect of the intervention on non-hispanic women.

Interventions

• BEHAVIORAL Additional Epidural Education