TITLE:
Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes towards Pain Management in Children Admitted in the Paediatric Department of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi
AUTHORS:
Edina T. Kholowa, Angela F. Chimwaza, Maureen D. Majamanda, Alfred O. Maluwa
KEYWORDS:
Children, Pain Assessment, Caregivers/Parents/Guardians, Nurses, Pain Management
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.5 No.6,
June
27,
2017
ABSTRACT: Background: Inadequate pain management is a problem in hospitalized children. Objectives: To explore knowledge and attitudes of nurses in management of pain in children. Methods: A descriptive design using qualitative methods was used to
conduct the study. 17 nurses with prior pain management training were
interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Ethical approval was
obtained from College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee. Data were
analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: Nurses had some
knowledge of pain assessment methods, treatment and use of morphine. Gaps,
however, existed on how to use pain assessment scales, analgesics to use at
each step of the WHO analgesic ladder, and how to effectively use morphine for
pain relief. Although most nurses had positive attitudes towards children’s
pain and use of morphine, negative attitudes were evident in some nurses
regarding administration of morphine to neonates or acutely ill children. Conclusion
and Implications: The study has revealed knowledge and attitude gaps which
may reflect deficiencies in the pain education nurses received,
non-availability of pain scales and lack of support for nurses to link theory
with practice. Nurse leaders are challenged to provide repeated comprehensive
education for nurses on pain assessment and management. Furthermore, user
friendly pain scales should be developed, and nurses educated and demonstrated
on their use. In addition, opportunities for supportive supervision with nurses
in the clinical setting should be created for linkage of theory and practice.