Pain Experience and Patient-Reported Barriers to Analgesic Use in Emergency Care in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Effective pain management remains a critical component of emergency care. However, patient-related beliefs and misconceptions about pain medication can pose significant barriers to adequate analgesia. The aim of the study was to assess patient-reported barriers to pain medication use and outcome in an emergency setting in Ghana.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 386 adult patients who presented with moderate to severe pain. Data was collected using an adapted short form of Barriers Questionnaire, and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores before and 30 min after treatment. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and ANCOVA. Pain severity was categorized as mild (0-3), moderate (4-6), and severe (7-10).

Most participants (69.4%) demonstrated moderate to high levels of perceived barriers to pain management. The most endorsed barrier was the belief that pain signifies worsening illness (mean = 3.77, SD = 1.32), followed by concerns about addiction and saving medications for future use. Significant reductions in pain scores were observed after treatment across analgesic groups. After adjustment for baseline pain and diagnosis, differences in post-treatment pain was significant.

Patient misconceptions about pain and its treatment persist in emergency care settings and may impact both pain reporting and medication adherence. Efforts to improve pain outcomes must include patient education and revision of prescribing practices, especially regarding opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Targeted interventions are essential to overcoming both systemic and attitudinal barriers to pain management at emergency settings.