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Procedural pain in neonatal units in Kenya
O'Brien Munyao Kyololo1, Bonnie Stevens2, Denise Gastaldo3
1School of Nursing, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
Neonates in Kenyan neonatal units undergo frequent painful procedures without analgesia. Enhanced education is crucial for improving procedural pain management in these vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pain management
- Pediatric nursing
Background:
- Painful procedures are common in neonatal intensive care units.
- Effective pain management is essential for infant well-being and development.
- Data on procedural pain and its management in Kenyan neonatal units is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the types and frequency of painful procedures experienced by neonates in Kenyan neonatal units.
- To assess current practices for managing procedural pain in these units.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Level I and Level II neonatal units across Kenya.
- Medical records of 95 term and preterm neonates admitted for at least 24 hours were reviewed.
- Data collected included painful procedures performed and pain management interventions used within a 24-hour period.
Main Results:
- Neonates experienced an average of 4.3 painful procedures in 24 hours, with 2.85 being tissue-damaging.
- Peripheral cannula insertion (27%) and intramuscular injections (22%) were the most frequent procedures.
- Ventilated neonates and those in Level II units underwent more procedures; no procedures were documented with analgesia.
Conclusions:
- Neonates in Kenyan neonatal units are subjected to a high burden of painful procedures without adequate pain relief.
- There is a significant need for education and implementation of evidence-based strategies for assessing and managing procedural pain.
- Improving pain management practices is critical for enhancing the quality of neonatal care in Kenya.
