Factors related to nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain management: a cross-sectional study of 32 tertiary hospitals in Anhui province, China

Objective Recognising and managing pain was considered an essential clinical skill for nurses. This study aimed to assess nurses’ knowledge of pain management and the factors associated with it.Design A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Anhui province, China, using the Knowledge and Attitudes...

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Main Authors: Yidan Zhang, Jiadong Wang, Shumin Bi, Shangui Chen, Zhaowen Peng, Zhiju Li, Chunxia Ren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2025-05-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/5/e097514.full
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author Yidan Zhang
Jiadong Wang
Shumin Bi
Shangui Chen
Zhaowen Peng
Zhiju Li
Chunxia Ren
author_facet Yidan Zhang
Jiadong Wang
Shumin Bi
Shangui Chen
Zhaowen Peng
Zhiju Li
Chunxia Ren
author_sort Yidan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Objective Recognising and managing pain was considered an essential clinical skill for nurses. This study aimed to assess nurses’ knowledge of pain management and the factors associated with it.Design A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Anhui province, China, using the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP) (2014). Multiple linear regression analysis identified factors associated with nurses’ KASRP Scores.Setting The study was carried out in 32 tertiary hospitals in Anhui province, China, from 21 May to 13 July 2023.Participants 6928 registered nurses.Outcome measures The main outcome was the KASRP Score, reflecting nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain management. We assessed the associations between sociodemographic factors, knowledge-sharing behaviours (KSBs) and KASRP Scores.Results Among the 6928 nurses analysed, the average KASRP Score was 17.70±3.57, corresponding to a correct response rate of 44.55%. Gender (p=0.003), professional title (p<0.001), education level (p<0.001), hospital grade (p=0.002), work department (p<0.001), pain resource nurse status (p<0.001), receipt of pain training (p<0.001), level of concern for patient pain (p<0.001), and KSBS Score (p<0.001) significantly influenced knowledge and attitudes. XGBoost regression further identified pain training, clinical department and KSB as top predictors, with relative importance weights of 0.237, 0.170 and 0.135, respectively (R² = 0.268, MSE=38.3).Conclusions This large-scale study revealed inadequate knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management among nurses in Anhui province, with outcome scores associated with various demographic and professional factors. These findings highlighted the need for continuous education, enhanced academic training and supportive institutional policies. Nursing leaders should implement targeted training initiatives and promote knowledge-sharing environments to strengthen pain management competencies among nurses.
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spelling doaj-art-e3961866e92449eb863c301171b2e9912025-08-20T03:28:05ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552025-05-0115510.1136/bmjopen-2024-097514Factors related to nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain management: a cross-sectional study of 32 tertiary hospitals in Anhui province, ChinaYidan Zhang0Jiadong Wang1Shumin Bi2Shangui Chen3Zhaowen Peng4Zhiju Li5Chunxia Ren6Global Health Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People`s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, ChinaAnhui Medical University School of Nursing, Hefei, Anhui Province, ChinaAnhui Medical University School of Nursing, Hefei, Anhui Province, ChinaDepartment of Anaesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, ChinaDepartment of Painology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, ChinaAnhui Medical Information Institute, Hefei, Anhui Province, ChinaDepartment of Nursing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, ChinaObjective Recognising and managing pain was considered an essential clinical skill for nurses. This study aimed to assess nurses’ knowledge of pain management and the factors associated with it.Design A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Anhui province, China, using the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP) (2014). Multiple linear regression analysis identified factors associated with nurses’ KASRP Scores.Setting The study was carried out in 32 tertiary hospitals in Anhui province, China, from 21 May to 13 July 2023.Participants 6928 registered nurses.Outcome measures The main outcome was the KASRP Score, reflecting nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain management. We assessed the associations between sociodemographic factors, knowledge-sharing behaviours (KSBs) and KASRP Scores.Results Among the 6928 nurses analysed, the average KASRP Score was 17.70±3.57, corresponding to a correct response rate of 44.55%. Gender (p=0.003), professional title (p<0.001), education level (p<0.001), hospital grade (p=0.002), work department (p<0.001), pain resource nurse status (p<0.001), receipt of pain training (p<0.001), level of concern for patient pain (p<0.001), and KSBS Score (p<0.001) significantly influenced knowledge and attitudes. XGBoost regression further identified pain training, clinical department and KSB as top predictors, with relative importance weights of 0.237, 0.170 and 0.135, respectively (R² = 0.268, MSE=38.3).Conclusions This large-scale study revealed inadequate knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management among nurses in Anhui province, with outcome scores associated with various demographic and professional factors. These findings highlighted the need for continuous education, enhanced academic training and supportive institutional policies. Nursing leaders should implement targeted training initiatives and promote knowledge-sharing environments to strengthen pain management competencies among nurses.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/5/e097514.full
spellingShingle Yidan Zhang
Jiadong Wang
Shumin Bi
Shangui Chen
Zhaowen Peng
Zhiju Li
Chunxia Ren
Factors related to nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain management: a cross-sectional study of 32 tertiary hospitals in Anhui province, China
BMJ Open
title Factors related to nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain management: a cross-sectional study of 32 tertiary hospitals in Anhui province, China
title_full Factors related to nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain management: a cross-sectional study of 32 tertiary hospitals in Anhui province, China
title_fullStr Factors related to nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain management: a cross-sectional study of 32 tertiary hospitals in Anhui province, China
title_full_unstemmed Factors related to nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain management: a cross-sectional study of 32 tertiary hospitals in Anhui province, China
title_short Factors related to nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain management: a cross-sectional study of 32 tertiary hospitals in Anhui province, China
title_sort factors related to nurses knowledge and attitudes towards pain management a cross sectional study of 32 tertiary hospitals in anhui province china
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/5/e097514.full
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