Author(s)

Rebecca Samwel^1*, Respicious Boniface^1,2

¹Department of Anaesthesiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
²Department of Anaesthesiology, Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Background: Pain is the common experience among post operative patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Inadequate management can lead to undesired complications which can increase risk for morbidity and mortality. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess pain management and factors associated with its severity among post surgical patients admitted in intensive care unit at MNH. Method: A prospective study was conducted from October 2017 to February 2018 involving a total of 123 post operative patients aged 18 years and above admitted to the surgical and obstetric intensive care units. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain the required perioperative information. Severity of pain was assessed by using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Frequency, percentages, tables and charts were used to summarize the study findings. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were done. P-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The prevalence of severe post operative pain within 24 and 72 hours was 32.1% and 41.5% respectively. Pre operative use of analgesia (OR: 2.66, CI: 1.15 - 6.12, P value = 0.02), abdominal surgery (OR: 4.12 CI: 1.12 - 15.88, P value = 0.03) and thoracic surgeries (OR; 7.42, CI: 1.54 - 35.88, P value = 0.01) was significantly associated with severe pain. Age, sex, ASA class, duration of surgery, and level of education did not show significant association with pain severity. Opioids prescribed postoperatively were pethidine (70.7%), morphine (11.4%) and fentanyl (11.4%). Other analgesics used were paracetamol (60.2%) and diclofenac (22%). Conclusion: The magnitude of post operative pain was high. Pre operative uses of analgesia, abdominal and thoracic surgery were the factors associated with severe pain. Pethidine and paracetamol were the most prescribed drugs, however the prescription pattern used was inadequate to control pain.

Post Operative Pain, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Pain Severity, Prescription Pattern, Analgesia

Samwel, R. and Boniface, R. (2019) Pain Management and Factors Associated with Its Severity among Post Surgical Patients Admitted in the Intensive Care Unit at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania. Open Journal of Anesthesiology, 9, 23-33. doi: 10.4236/ojanes.2019.92003.