Postoperative pain management at KNH following a Caesarean section

Abstract

1.0 Summary The study sought the maternal assessment of postoperative pain management in Kenyatta National hospital following a caesarian section type of operation. A total of 366 postoperative patients formed the sample size and were subjected to a structured questionnaire. A data base was developed using SPSS software, where data analysis was performed to generate descriptive statistics like percentages, measures of central tendency, correlation and regression analyses were used to describe and analyze the data hence facilitating the drawing of inferences. 1.1 Background Recent advances in the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms involved in the transmission and modulation of noxious impulses have significantly extended the range of assessment tools and treatments clinicians offer to patients with pain 20. Historically, anaesthetists have been responsible for the relief of pain in the perioperative period and have developed skills in percutaneous neural blockade. This expertise, originally developed for local anaesthetics, was the extended to neulytic agents. Initially, pain clinics started as nerve-blocking clinics and most pain management clinics continue to be directed by anaesthetists. However, with increasing awareness of the complexity of pain experience, there has been recognition that other health care professionals have a significant role in management of pain. A multidisciplinary approach involving the anaesthetists and other health care professionals is being offered currently. 1.2Introduction Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotion experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. This is according to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). One other description of pain is 'what the patient says hurt'. The former definition emphasizes that pain is not only a physical sensation but also, ultimately, a subjective psychological event. It accepts that pain can occur in spite of negative physical findings and investigations.