The knowledge and attitude on pain management and their associated factors among nursing students at the school of nursing, Vavuniya

Abstract

Background: Pain control in patients is important as untreated pain impede their response to treatments and negatively affect their quality of life. Optimal pain management requires adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and competent pain assessment measures. Nurses are key players and have an essential role in pain management. Applying nursing roles requires that nursing students attain adequate knowledge about pain, its management, and positive attitudes towards it.Aim/s: To assess the knowledge and attitudes on pain management and their associated factors among nursing students in the School of Nursing, Vavuniya.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with the total study population of second-year (n=97) and third-year nursing students (n=43) at the School of Nursing, Vavuniya. The study was conducted using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire that included the modified Ferrell and McCaffery (2012) Knowledge and Attitude Survey Regarding pain (KASRP). Data were described using descriptive statistics, and associations were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests. Significance was set as p<0.05. The ethical clearance was obtained from the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.Results: The response rate was 97%. The majority belonged to the age group between 23-25 years (n=112, 80.0%). The mean age was 23.7 years (SD +1.102). Majority were female (n=135, 96%), Sinhalese (n=107, 76%) and Buddhist (n=98, 70%). Most of the students had “poor” knowledge on pain management (n=98, 70%) and had “fair” attitudes (n=98, 70%). “Good” attitudes were reported by 7% (n=10) of the students. The median of the total correct answers for knowledge was 13 (IQR=5) out of 30 questions, and the median attitude score was 8 (IQR=4) out of 15 questions. The year of study and additional study of reference materials were significantly related to knowledge and attitudes towards pain management (p<0.01).Conclusion: The overall knowledge among nursing students on pain management was “poor”, and most had fair attitudes towards pain management. Pain management education needs to be strengthened, and positive attitudes should be cultivated through curricular reforms in nursing education.