Abstract:
Pain is an uncomfortable physical feeling that can be localized or widespread, or it
can be a mixture of sensations. Effective pain management is based on the application of
standardized methods for pain assessment. In many medical settings, pain is not assessed in a
standardized manner. Problems in applying pain assessment principles have been shown to be
more severe in low-income countries. Objective: To assess pain assessment practice and
associated factors among nurses working at adult care unit at public Hospital in West Hararghe
Zone, Eastern Ethiopia, 2023. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried
out from July 15 to August 15, 2023, among 394 randomly selected nurses working at adult care
unit at public hospitals in West Hararghe Zone. A structured self-administered questionnaire and
chart review were used for data collection. Data was entered into Epi data version 3.1software
and exported to the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26 for analysis. Both
bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify factors
associated with pain assessment practice. Variables having p-value <0.05 were interpreted as
having statistically significant association and the magnitude was displayed by adjusted odds
ratio with 95% confidence interval. Multicollinearity was checked to see the linear correlation
among the associated independent variables by using VIF and standard error. Hosmer-
Lemeshow’s test was performed to ensure the model fitness.
Results: A total of 394 nurses participated in this study, giving a response rate of 98.5%. The
overall self-reported pain assessment practice among study participants was found to be 63.5%
(95% CI: 59.0%, 68.0%). Work experience of >5 years [AOR: 3.13 (95% CI: 1.21-8.14)],
knowledge on pain assessment [AOR: 4.25 (95% CI: 2.51-7.18)], attitude towards pain
assessment [AOR: 3.43 (95% CI: 2.05-5.72)], and having in-service training on pain assessment
[AOR: 3.58 (95% CI: 1.05-12.23)] were significantly associated with pain assessment practice.
Conclusion and recommendation: Nurses’ pain assessment practice was 63.5%, that is almost
two third of the nurses had a good practice. Among factors, work experience of >5years, inservice
training, knowledge and attitude of nurses were significantly associated with pain
assessment practice. Hospital managers should organize and provide continuous training for
nurses.
