The Effects of Integrating a Pain Assessment Scale on the Surgical Ward Nurse’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Post-Operative Pain Management in Mengo Hospital Kampala, Uganda.
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Date
2023-09-08
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Post operative pain remains one of the greatest concerns for patients following surgery. Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience accompanied by actual and potential tissue damage. Failure to promptly assess and manage pain may upshot into postoperative complications like hypertension, depression, lengthened hospital stays, and overall patients’ poor health outcomes.
Objective
The purpose of this study was to describe the effect of integrating the pain assessment scale on the nurse’s knowledge, attitude, and practice toward post-operative pain management in the surgical ward in Mengo hospital, Kampala.
Methods
At the surgical wards (obstetrics/gynecology & other general surgical procedures), nurses participated in a descriptive quantitative cross-sectional, quasi-experimental study.
A total of 60 nurses participated in the study by applying the educational intervention of integrating the PAS into postoperative pain management using a 4-point Likert scale. The practice was observed using a checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. A chi-square test was done, and significantly associated factors were acknowledged.
Results
In the pretest and posttest, the mean total knowledge scores about post-operative pain treatment were (M= 62.83, SD= 9.583), t = -59, P=0.01, respectively. The results raise concerns about the respondents' intolerable lack of understanding regarding how to manage patients' post-operative pain.
Conclusion
Nurses’ low level of knowledge, unacceptable attitude, and practice were acknowledged. Nursing curricula both at Under-Graduate and master’s should be undertaken to ensure relevant, appropriate information equips nurses to effectively manage pain.
Description
Masters dissertation.