Al-Anbar Medical Journal (Dec 2024)
Knowledge, Perception, and Attitudes of Nursing Staff about Assessment and Management of Neonatal Pain
Abstract
Background: Pain assessment is a crucial aspect of neonatal care in the neonatal unit. It involves observing specific physiological and behavioral changes by nursing staff to ameliorate pain and discomfort in neonates. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of the nursing staff of neonatal care units about the assessment and management of neonatal pain.Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was executed on all nurses working in neonatal care units at four pediatric teaching hospitals in Baghdad/Rusafa from the 1st of January to the 31st of December 2022. A total sample of 121 nurses was recruited from these hospitals. Demographic criteria of the nursing staff were collected, including age, sex, years of experience in neonatal care, and whether they had received previous neonatal care training. Nurses’ knowledge and attitude toward neonatal pain were assessed using a two-point Likert scale, with ten agree and ten disagree questions. Scores were then categorized into two grades based on the median cut-off point: Scores between 5 and 10 were graded as acceptable, while scores below 5 were categorized as poor.Results: The mean age of the recruited participants was 32.6 ± 9 years. The study revealed that 86 nurses (71.1%) had an acceptable score regarding their knowledge of neonatal pain perception, while 81 nurses (69.4%) had an acceptable score regarding their practices in neonatal pain management. Characteristics such as age, gender, having children, previous neonatal training, and working in neonatal care units for two years or more were significantly related to nurses' knowledge and practices in neonatal pain perception and management (P-value < 0.05). Conclusion: Most nursing staff demonstrate a satisfactory score regarding their knowledge and attitudes about neonatal pain. Variables such as age, gender, having children, previous neonatal training courses, and working in neonatal care units for two years or more impacted the nurses' scores.
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