Knowledge and Attitude of Nurses on Pain Management

Abstract

Introduction: Pain is the most frequent cause for physician visits, work disability and health care cost. Nurses are at the forefront of care of admitted patients with a pivotal role in assessing and managing pain. The study aimed to assess the existing knowledge and attitude on pain management among the nurses working in Pokhara, Nepal.

Materials and Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was used to select nurses from three hospitals of Pokhara. Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitude Survey Regarding Pain was used for data collection and analyzed from SPSS version 20 using Student t-test, one-way Analysis of variance and Multiple linear regression.

Results: This study found the mean (SD) pain knowledge score of Nepalese nurses on Nurses. Knowledge and Attitude Survey Regarding Pain (NKASRP) was 19.63(±3.4) out of 39 which equals to 50.34%. Nepalese nurses had average pain knowledge and attitude. This study found that education level and work experience of the nurses are related factors of knowledge and attitude on pain management.

Conclusion: Nepalese nurses had average pain knowledge and attitude. So, the study suggested that continue in-service pain education and training are needed to provide quality pain care in Pokhara, Nepal.