Nurses Knowledge on Pain Assessment and Practices of Pain Management Among Cancer Patients in Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) Orlu

Abstract

This study assessed nurses’ knowledge of pain assessment and their pain management practices among cancer patients at Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), Orlu. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The study was guided by three research questions, and 101 nurses were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire developed in line with the study objectives, with a reliability coefficient of 0.70. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores, while the chi square test was used to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents had good knowledge of pain assessment and management, with a mean knowledge score of 3.47 on a four-point Likert scale. However, the level of pain management practice was relatively low, with a mean score of 2.40. Major factors reported to impede effective pain management included inadequate staffing, insufficient training, limited availability of analgesics, and heavy workload. Educational qualification was significantly associated with nurses’ knowledge of pain assessment and management (p <0.05). The study concludes that although nurses demonstrated good knowledge of pain assessment and management, this knowledge was not adequately reflected in clinical practice. It is therefore recommended that hospital management strengthen institutional support for cancer pain management through regular in-service training, improved availability of analgesics, adequate staffing, manageable workloads, and supportive pain management policies and guidelines.

Keywords: Nurses; Knowledge; Pain; Assessment Management; Cancer Patients; Orlu

Citation

Chinazaekpere AR, Emesowum AC, Chinedu OA, Ewelike UE. Nurses Knowledge on Pain Assessment and Practices of Pain Management Among Cancer Patients in Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) Orlu. WebLog J Nurs. wjnr.2026.i2502. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23297827