The acceptance of epidural anesthesia by Israeli-Arab birthing mothers.

Israeli-Arab birthing mothers use epidural anesthesia in labor markedly less than their Israeli-Jewish counterparts. This study modeled the mothers' choice to agree to epidural anesthesia or not, using the Ajzen and Madden Theory of Reasoned Action. A convenience sample of one hundred was drawn from women coming to two hospitals to give birth. The instrument used was a structured questionnaire developed by the researcher. The variables found to influence the mothers' attitudes to epidural anesthesia were age, number of previous births, religious practice, schooling and having accepted epidural anesthesia in their previous labor. In conclusion, five practical implications of the study are set out for changing this population's choices about epidural anesthesia in labor.