Background: Inadequate pain management is a problem in hospitalized\nchildren. Objectives: To explore knowledge and attitudes of nurses in management\nof pain in children. Methods: A descriptive design using qualitative\nmethods was used to conduct the study. 17 nurses with prior pain management\ntraining were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Ethical\napproval was obtained from College of Medicine Research and Ethics\nCommittee. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Results:\nNurses had some knowledge of pain assessment methods, treatment and use\nof morphine. Gaps, however, existed on how to use pain assessment scales,\nanalgesics to use at each step of the WHO analgesic ladder, and how to effectively\nuse morphine for pain relief. Although most nurses had positive attitudes\ntowards children�s pain and use of morphine, negative attitudes were\nevident in some nurses regarding administration of morphine to neonates or\nacutely ill children. Conclusion and Implications: The study has revealed\nknowledge and attitude gaps which may reflect deficiencies in the pain education\nnurses received, non-availability of pain scales and lack of support for\nnurses to link theory with practice. Nurse leaders are challenged to provide\nrepeated comprehensive education for nurses on pain assessment and management.\nFurthermore, user friendly pain scales should be developed, and\nnurses educated and demonstrated on their use. In addition, opportunities for\nsupportive supervision with nurses in the clinical setting should be created for\nlinkage of theory and practice.
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