Knowledge of cancer pain management among nurses in a Nigerian tertiary health institution

Abstract

Background: Pain is a symptom of both physical and psychological disorder in patients. Pain may be acute or chronic. Chronic pain can also be the consequence of progressive diseases such as cancer. Cancer pain can be defined as a complex sensation that reflects both damage to the body and the body's response to the damage. Proper pain management is crucial in the overall care of patients. The doctor-patient ratio is still low in Nigeria according to World Health Organization (WHO). 2012, we have 1:3500 doctor-patient ratio as against the standard 1:600, but that of nurse-patient is better, 1:30 as against WHO standard of 1:6, however more nurses are needed to meet the need of the rising population of Nigeria. Incidence of cancer is rising worldwide and majority of the advanced cases occur in the developing countries like Nigeria. In order to uphold the standard of cancer pain management in our patients, active participation of the nurses is essential. More importantly all health professionals need to serve as advocates for adequate cancer pain control and should ensure that pain treatment is based on ethical principles and evidence-based standards. However nurses play a critical role in effective pain management because they have more contact time with patients in any healthcare setting. This vantage position gives the nurse a unique privilege to identify patients who have pain, assess the pain and its impact on the patients and their family members, thus initiate actions to manage the pain and evaluate the effectiveness of those actions.

Nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward pain assessment and management for adult sickle cell disease patients during sickling crisis

“…[13][14][15][16][17] The findings from these studies revealed that nurses had inadequate knowledge about pain assessment and management. [13,[18][19][20] Previous research studies have identified several barriers to adequate pain management in SCD such as: sociocultural factors, the concerns regarding addiction, disbelief of the health care professional and the lack of knowledge.…”

The Role of Nursing Staff in Pain Management of Patients with Cancer

“…According to World Health Organization (WHO), analgesic management of pain which is a three-step approach provides an effective treatment of pain at various levels of severity [17]. This approach involves the use of non-opioid and opioid medications.…”

Oncology Nurses' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Factors in Cancer Pain – A Systematic Review

“…Additionally, the study revealed that more years of experience in cancer nursing were associated with a higher level of understanding. The investigation by Elumelu et al, (2014) disclosed that nurses at Nigerian tertiary health institutions demonstrated insufficient overall knowledge, with only 18% having undergone formal training in cancer pain management. Contributing factors included a lack of structured education, unfamiliarity with opioid administration practices, and an inadequate grasp of pain evaluation and treatment methods.…”

“…The study conducted by Darawad et al, (2019) in Jordan distinguishes between doctors and nurses, revealing possible deficiencies in knowledge and highlighting the need for fair and extensive education across many healthcare fields. The Nigeria study by Elumelu et al, (2014) and her colleagues demonstrates a dedication to comprehending and tackling obstacles unique to the Nigerian setting. The study emphasizes the importance of treatments designed to suit the local environment.…”