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J Anal Res Clin Med. 2018;6(2): 72-79.
doi: 10.15171/jarcm.2018.011
  Abstract View: 1641
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Original Article

Nurses’ knowledge, attitude and practices regarding pain assessment among patients with cancer at Uganda Cancer Institute

Frank Kiwanuka 1* ORCID logo, Ronald Masaba 2

1 Department of Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Entebbe General Referral Hospital, Entebbe, Uganda
*Corresponding Author: Email: f.kiwanuka1@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with cancer often experience mild to severe pain. Therefore, effective pain assessment and management is paramount to this patient sub-population. This study sought to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices associated with pain assessment among nurses at Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at UCI among 67 randomly selected nurses. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 26 years with the standard deviation (SD) of 2.46. The average knowledge scale score was 12 (range: 0-16), indicating good knowledge of pain assessment. Nurses’ average attitude scale score was 9 out of a total score of 12, indicating a positive attitude towards pain assessment. Practices included use of standardized pain assessment tools (61.2%), patient observation (41.8%), documentation (94.0%), and administration of analgesics (56.7%). Most common assessment tool used was the verbal rating scale (32.8%). Pain assessment findings were rarely discussed (52.2%) during nurses’ reports. Conclusion: Nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and practices of pain assessment and intervention are essential components in promoting patient comfort; continuous professional development and research in this area is needed.
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Submitted: 01 Feb 2018
Accepted: 05 Apr 2018
ePublished: 10 Jun 2018
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