Utilization of Non-Pharmacological Methods and the Perceived Barriers for Adult Postoperative Pain Management by the Nurses at Selected National Hospitals in Asmara, Eritrea

Abstract Background: Pharmacological methods are widely used for postoperative pain management however, poorly controlled pain continues to pose a significant challenge. Non pharmacological methods could contribute to the unresolved postoperative pain management in assisting nurses’ routine care and minimizing the need formedication. The aim of the study was to assess nurses’ utilization of non-pharmacological methods in postoperative pain and the perceived barriers for their implementation at the National Hospitals.Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 154 nurses working at the National Referral Hospitals and Sembel Private Hospital. A standardized five-point Likert-scale questionnaire which assesses nurses' utilization ofselected non-pharmacological methods and the perceived barriers for the implementation was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics for the demographic data, independent samples t-test, one way ANOVA and factorial ANOVAwere used to analyze the data. Statistical significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results: The study found out that emotional support (45.5%), helping with daily activities (67.5%) and creating a comfortable environment (61%) were the most frequently used methods, while cognitive-behavioral (5.9%) and physical methods (5.8%) had less frequency. The results also showed , such as the nurses' age (p=0.013), education (p=0.012), work experience (p=0.001) and place of work (p=0.001), were significantly related to the use of non-pharmacological methods at bivariate level. However, hospitals had a statistical significance of (p<0.001) and were the only determinants of the non-pharmacological methods at multivariable level. On the perceived barriers;heavy work load (87.7%), shortage of time (84.4%), limited resources (82.5%), deficit in the guidelines for pain management (77.3%), patient’s uncooperative behavior (57.1%), language difference (64.4%),nurse’s lack of knowledge (50%) and experience (40.3%) wereidentified.Conclusion: Non-pharmacological methods on postoperative patients in the studied hospitals varied greatly due to experience and knowledge. The study recommends exposure and training for all health care providers at all level in order to appreciate the benefits of non-pharmacological methods applicable to postoperative pain management among patients. This could be achieved through on job training, seminars, scientific conferences and other brainstorming forums.