Assessment of knowledge and practice of post-operative pain management among nurses working in surgical ward in Rwandan referral hospital at RMH and KUTH

Abstract

Background: Knowledge and practice of nurses towards pain management have been noted in various studies around the World. Deficient knowledge and practice regarding pain management among nurses remains a pervasive problem. For better management of pain in surgical wards, nurses should have adequate knowledge of pain assessment and management. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to give a picture about knowledge and practice of postoperative pain management among nurses working in Surgical Ward at Rwanda military hospital and Kigali university teaching hospital this will facilitate innovation in pain management and improving the levels of knowledge and practice in clinical area. Methodology: This study used quantitative study approach with a descriptive correlation study design. The study was guided by Knowledge-to-action framework. A sample of 131 nurses was selected using convenience sampling. Data was collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire with three sections namely the demographic data, level of knowledge and level of practice regarding post-operative management. Descriptive statistics, the Pearson’s correlation coefficient, linear regression and the Chi-square test were used to analyse the data. SPSS version 21.0 was used in data analysis. Results: Forty-eight (37%) nurses had high score in knowledge about postoperative pain management. Sixty-Seven (51%) had moderate levels of knowledge and 16 (12%) of nurses had low knowledge regarding post-operative pain management. Twenty-six (20%) of nurses had high level practice, 106 nurses (79%) had moderate level practice and only 2 (1%) of nurses had lower level of practice on post-operative pain management. The correlation coefficient (0.379, p<0.01) shows a weak positive correlation between knowledge and practice. The effect of knowledge on practice was 14.4%. Conclusion and recommendation: The level of knowledge and practice on post-operative management was predominantly low among nurses. Therefore, this calls for the need to implement in-service training on pain management for nurses working in the surgical units.