Effect of a teaching programme on knowledge of postoperative pain management among nurses at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Background. Postoperative pain management is a way of reducing or eliminating pain and discomfort with minimum side-effects after surgery. Pain is a predictable and expected experience following surgery, and if not well controlled poses a major risk to the patient. Research shows that most patients suffer complications associated with postoperative pain. It is therefore important to develop approaches on how to improve knowledge of postoperative pain management among nurses. Objective. To determine the effectiveness of a teaching programme on the knowledge of postoperative pain management among nurses in the adult surgical ward of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Methods. A quasi-experimental research design was conducted, and an accidental sampling technique used to select a total of 60 nurses. Probability sampling was used to divide this group into two (control n=30, experimental group n=30). Data were collected using a modified structured questionnaire, the `Knowledge and attitudes survey regarding pain' tool. Ethical clearance was obtained from the hospital before the administration of the questionnaire. Data obtained were coded and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21.0 statistical software, at p=0.05 level of significance. Results. The pre-intervention mean (standard deviation) score on knowledge of postoperative pain management among participants in the control group was 1.05 (0.60) and 1.06 (0.63) in the experimental group, with a mean difference of 0.01. Following intervention, there was a rise in mean score on knowledge of postoperative pain management among the nurses in the experimental group to 1.62 (0.97), while participants in the control group had 1.05 (0.62), with a mean difference of 0.57. There were significant statistical differences between the pre- and post-intervention mean score of participants' knowledge of postoperative pain management (t=3.68, p=0.00). Conclusion. The teaching programme was effective in improving participants' knowledge of postoperative pain management. Therefore continued education on postoperative pain management is recommended for nurses who are involved in the care of postoperative patients.