A survey study on knowledge and attitude towards pain management and associated factors among emergency Nurses,2021. Multi-center cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundPoor knowledge and attitude of nurses regarding pain may contribute to inadequate pain management. Nurses, as the primary caregivers in the emergency department, should have adequate knowledge and a good attitude towards pain management. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge and attitude towards pain management and other factors among emergency nurses. MethodsA multi-center, institutional based, cross-sectional study was conducted on 153 nurses from May 01 to May 30, Ethiopia, 2021. Self–completed survey questionnaires were distributed using a modified and validated ‘Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP)’ tool and analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the participants, and the results were prepared using narrations, percentages, and tables. To demonstrate the strength of the association, the crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio with the corresponding 95% CI were calculated. Variables with a p-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant after multivariate analysis. ResultThe mean percentage score of knowledge and attitude towards pain management was 52.8% (SD = 13). Prior pain management, training, and years of work experience as an emergency nurse were associated with good pain management knowledge and attitude. Conclusion and recommendationsThe level of knowledge and attitude of emergency nurses toward pain management were poor. So, we suggest all stakeholders who participate in nursing education work together to educate nurses to a higher level of education and deliver pain management training to enhance their knowledge and attitude towards pain management.