PAIN TREATMENT AND SATISFACTION AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS IN TWO SELECTED HOSPITALS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Effective pain management among the elderly is crucial in optimizing pain treatment and satisfaction, though the pharmacological method is mostly used in pain treatment, however, non-pharmacological methods can also be explored in maximizing pain treatment and satisfaction. There is a need to explore the barriers limiting adequate pain treatment and management, therefore, this study assessed the perception of elderly clients towards barriers in pain treatment and management.

Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. A total of 106 cognitively intact elderly male and female clients aged 65 years and above with various medical conditions admitted at U.C.H and Adeoyo State Hospital were recruited into the study for one month using self -administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student t- test were carried out to ascertain the relationships between participants’ pain perception, medical diagnoses, pain experience, response and cultural beliefs using SPSS 20 software.

Result: The findings revealed that 56.6% of the respondents were 65 years and above, majority (85.8%) claimed to be satisfied with pain treatment because it was effective, they felt relieve and better, some (10.4%) said they were not satisfied because the initial medical conditions have led to a more severe illness. Also, identified was the need for expert help (78%) and quick attention (12%) as major reasons for pain reporting, while complications (1.9%) and Avoidance of self-medications (0.9%) were least reported reasons for pain report. Fear of being labelled as complainers (89.6%) was a main barrier for not reporting pain, while cost of drugs (1.9%) and distance from hospitals (2.8%) were the least reasons for not reporting pain. Majority (73.6%) said complaining would distract or prejudice the health care providers as perceived reason for not managing their pain effectively. In addition, majority of the respondents (51.9%) suggested patience, encouragement and accommodation from health workers as the best way to manage pain. The use of drugs (80.2%) was mostly identified means of pain management while psychological reassurance (9.4%) and alternative therapy (1.9%) were least mentioned.

Conclusion: The result highlighted the “fear of being labelled as complainers” as a main factor hindering pain reporting, and thus identified the need for health care workers to be more accommodating and encouraging in pain management, this justifies the need to explore non-pharmacological methods in pain management. It is recommended that pain management team should be established in hospitals and clinics headed by a trained professional.