Nurses' Knowledge and Attitude toward Pediatric Pain Management: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Pain in infants and children is often poorly assessed and managed. Although there are many studies on this subject, none have been conducted in the Arab world, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where nurses are largely expatriates.

AIMS: To examine the knowledge and attitudes of nurses working with infants and children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding pain management.

DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional survey.

SETTINGS: Five government hospitals in Riyadh region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS: Registered nurses caring for infants and children.

METHODS: A convenience sample of 410 nurses working at five Saudi Arabian government hospitals was surveyed using the Pediatric Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (PNKAS-Shriners Revision). Data were analyzed using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlation, independent t test, and one-way analysis tests.

RESULTS: Poor overall knowledge and attitudes regarding pediatric pain management was evident in this study. The mean correct score achieved by nurses was 18.1 ± 4.0 out of 40 or 45.2% ± 10.0% of a possible score of 100%. A weak but statistically significant correlation was found between years of pediatric nursing experience and total score (r = -0.129, p = .009).

CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that intensive education on pediatric pain and its management is urgently needed for nurses working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.