Pain Description and Presentation in Children Admitted to a Teaching Hospital in Ghana

Abstract

Background/Aim: Pain is a cardinal symptom of many disease states and a common reason for hospital attendance. In children, however, it is often undertreated, partly due to the difficulty in its assessment. This study outlines the causes, anatomic locations and verbal descriptions of pain in children admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ashanti, Ghana. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 273 children aged 5-12 years. Using a structured questionnaire, we obtained information through patient interview and folder review on the causes, locations and verbal descriptions of pain in children hospitalized for non-traumatic medical conditions including cancers. Findings: Sickle cell disease, infections and cancers were the main causes of pain in children admitted to the unit. Abdominal pain was the most frequently reported. Pain description in either English or the local language, Akan was difficult for most children. Conclusion/Recommendations: Pain description is difficult for most Ghanaian children as it requires the use of complex adult language. Therefore, in the management of pain in this population, it is recommended that the clinician places less emphasis on the exact description of pain and rather focus on effective pain relief.