+44 330 818 7254*Ehwarieme T. A, Amiegheme F. E, and Ogbogu C.J
Maintaining an optimal level of comfort is a universal goal for physicians and nurses because pain is one of the major experiences that can minimize patients’ comfort. This study assesses perceived barriers to utilization of pain assessment tool in selected tertiary Hospital, Benin City, Edo State. A descriptive cross sectional survey design was used in a sample size of 306 which was selected using non-probability convenient sampling technique. A self-structured questionnaire serves as instrument for data collection. Data obtain were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hypothesis were tested using chi-square and ttest. Result shows that majority 284(99.0%) assess patient pain using pain assessment tool/scale; however only 58(20.4%) routinely use the tool. Self-report (78.6%) and Numerical rating scale (61.7%) were the major tool used, factors such as shortage of nursing staff (3.17), lack of knowledge of pain assessment tool (2.75), patient cultural belief about pain (3.15), Lack of implementation by the Nursing service unit (2.92) and unavailability of pain assessment tool (3.20) were identified as barrier to utilization of pain assessment tool. There was no significant relationship between the academic status of nurses and the utilization of pain assessment tools (PATs) (χ 2 = 2.850; p = 0.401). However a significant difference in mean score of male and female nurses (t=2.746; p = 0.000; p<0.05) were found. There should be enforcement of rule of engaging the nursing staff in utilization of the pain assessment tool by nursing services unit in all health facilities for effective and adequate pain management
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