A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Pain Management Guidelines in Terms of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Nursing Personnel Working in Pediatric Units of a Selected Hospital of Delhi

Uma Shanker Agrawal, Santosh Mehta, Daisy Thomas

Abstract


Introduction: Pain management in pediatric population is a very important and crucial aspect of nursing
care. Though there is improved understanding of the physiological and psychological effects of unrelieved
pain in children, still so many research evidences show that pediatric nurses are having inadequate
knowledge, unfavorable attitude and poor practices regarding assessment and management of pain in
children. A study was conducted with the objectives to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of pain
management guidelines in terms of knowledge, attitude and practices of nursing personnel working in
pediatric units, determine the relationship between knowledge and attitude and knowledge and practice
and seek association of knowledge and practices with selected variables
Methodology: A pre-experimental approach and one group pretest-posttest design was selected. The
tools were a structured knowledge questionnaire, attitude scale and an observation checklist. Pain
management guidelines were developed based on expert opinion and review of literature. Sixty nursing
personnel who met the sampling criteria were selected by purposive sampling. On day 1, pretest of
knowledge and attitude ware administered and the pain management practices were observed. On the
same day, pain management guidelines were given to them with small group discussion. Demonstration
of pain assessment and management during painful procedure was given in small groups. On seventh
day, posttest of knowledge and attitude was administered. Posttest practices were observed.
Results: Findings of the study revealed that the mean posttest knowledge score was significantly higher
than the mean pretest knowledge score with a mean difference of 5.18 (P<0.05). The mean posttest
attitude score was significantly higher than the mean pretest attitude score with a mean difference of
12.43 (P<0.05). The mean posttest practice score was significantly higher than the mean pretest practice
score with a mean difference of 3.1 (P<0.05). There was a significant positive relationship between
knowledge and attitude (P<0.05). There was also a significant positive relationship between knowledge
and practices (P<0.05). The knowledge and practices of nursing personnel regarding pain management were not associated with years of experience, professional qualification and In-service education on pain management.

Conclusion: Knowledge deficit, unfavorable attitude and poor practices existed regarding pain management in children. Pain management guidelines were found to be effective in enhancing the knowledge, changing the attitude and improving the practices of nursing personnel.


Keywords


Pain management guidelines, Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, Nursing personnel, Pediatric units

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