Pain Management Practice and Associated Factors Among Nurses, Southern Ethiopia, 2025.
Birhanu Wogane*, Shifera Galchu, Udessa Gamada, Gebisa Leta and Tamiru Maro
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Ineffective pain management leads to functional impairment, disability, psychological distress and sleep deprivation. Previous studies have primarily concentrated on evaluating nurse’s post-operative, non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic pain management practice.
Objectives: To assess pain management practice and associated factors among nurses.
Method: Institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data was collected by using structured pre-tested self-administered questionnaires. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Binary and multiple logistic regressions was performed. All variables with p-value <0.25 on bivariate analysis was taken to multivariate analysis.
Result: Of the total 468, 31.6% (95% CI, 27.4, 35.8) of the study participants have good pain management practices. Work experience of >10 years, having BSc and above educational level, 1:8 nurses to patient ratio, and nurses’ knowledge towards pain management were statistically associated with nurses’ pain management practice.
Conclusion and Recommendation: The study findings revealed that one-third of nurses have a good pain management practice.Therefore, hospitals have to work to address factors affecting pain management practice of nurses.
Implication of the Research: The findings of this study suggest that healthcare institutions should implement on-the-job training programs to enhance nurses’ knowledge of pain management in clinical settings. Additionally, nurses with only a diploma-level education are encouraged to pursue further educational advancement, and hospitals should facilitate these opportunities. Experienced nurses with a BSc. or higher should provide guidance and mentorship to diplomalevel nurses.
