Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Associated Factors of Postoperative Pain Management Among Nurses

Background: Nurses play a crucial role in pain management through adherence to protocols, accurate pain assessment, and personalized pain relief strategies. However, a gap exists between nurses' ability to perceive pain and patients' actual needs. In Ethiopia, postoperative pain management practices are inadequate, and there is limited research on nurses' pain cognition. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and associated factors regarding postoperative pain management among nurses at Wolaita Sodo Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design involving 124 nurses was utilized. Data were collected using the Knowledge Attitude Survey regarding pain and the Nurses Carrying Behaviors Checklist. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 28, employing descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, independent sample t-tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Multiple linear regressions were used to identify factors associated with pain management practices, with statistical significance set at a p value below 0.05. Results: The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 49.51 ± 9.51, 43.04 ± 14.72, and 71.05 ± 10.53, respectively. Positive correlations were found between knowledge and practices (r = 0.348, p < 0.001) and between attitudes and practices (r = 0.247, p=0.006). Training on pain, pain experience, work experience, and marital status were independent influencing factors for practice toward postoperative pain management. Conclusion: The study highlights critical gaps in nurses' knowledge and practices regarding postoperative pain management, particularly in opioid safety, dose conversion, and withdrawal symptoms. Over half of the nurses had inadequate knowledge, and most exhibited poor practices. Although negative attitudes were prevalent, training, experience, and personal pain exposure contributed to improved practices. Enhancing structured education, clinical mentoring, and institutional support is essential to improve postoperative pain care.