Practice And Perceived Effectiveness Of Non-Pharmacological Strategies Used For Pain Management Among Nurses In University Of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital

Pain is one of the major leading symptoms of diseases and the most common cause of hospital visitation and hospitalization. Studies have shown that ineffective pain management has a deleterious effect on both patient and the care giver especially the nurse. This study determines the practice and perceived effectof non-pharmacological strategies used for pain management among nurses in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). A multistage sampling technique was used to select 150 out of 360 nurses working in various wards and units of UMTH. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from the respondents. The result of this study revealed that respondent’s years of working experience played a greater role in the practice of non-pharmacological strategies. While, almost all (94%) of the respondents have knowledge about non-pharmacological strategies to pain management and almost two third (68%) of respondents claimed to have been applying both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies to pain management at one time and the other. Base on the findings of this study, it was concluded that, non-pharmacological strategies to pain management has not received an appreciable attention among nurses in UMTH. It was recommended that non pharmacological strategies should be adopted alongside the conventional pharmacological approach to pain management, and nurses should be encouraged to use non-pharmacological strategies to reduce over dependence on drugs and avoid addiction among patients on pain management. Keywords: Pain Management, Non pharmacological strategy, Nurses, University of Maiduguri teaching hospital.