Challenges Faced by Nurses in Adhering to Postoperative Pain Management Protocols: A Cross-Sectional Study at Wangata General Hospital, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Abstract
Background
Postoperative pain remains a major public health concern, often underestimated and inadequately managed, particularly in resource-limited settings. Nurses play a central role in pain assessment and treatment, yet many face significant barriers in implementing standardized protocols.
Objective
This study aimed to identify and analyze the main difficulties encountered by nurses in adhering to postoperative pain management protocols at Wangata General Hospital.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 nurses selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, then analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS and Excel. Chi-square tests were used to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and perceived barriers.
Results
The majority of participants were female (55.6%), aged 26-36 years (52.2%), holding A1 nursing diplomas (44.4%), with 1-5 years of professional experience (45.5%). No nurse had received specific or practical training on postoperative pain management in the preceding three years. Major constraints included: heavy workload hindering regular pain assessment (100%), unavailability of analgesic medications (86.7%), patient refusal to adhere to prescribed treatments (88.9%), and financial limitations restricting analgesic options (66.7%). Significant statistical associations were observed between age and treatment refusal (χ²=9.354, p<0.05), between sex and drug unavailability (χ²=8.481, p<0.05), and between professional experience and treatment refusal (χ²=19.166, p<0.05).
Conclusion
This study highlights multidimensional barriers—organizational, material, and professional—that hinder optimal protocol application. Addressing these challenges requires strengthening continuing education, improving analgesic availability, reducing workload, and enhancing patient education.
Keywords
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How to cite
Itenyi Bongonda, N. (2026). Challenges Faced by Nurses in Adhering to Postoperative Pain Management Protocols: A Cross-Sectional Study at Wangata General Hospital, Democratic Republic of the Congo. SDF Journal of Public Health. https://sfoundation.one/articles/sdf-2026-0043-challenges-faced-by-nurses-in-adhering-to-postoperative-pain-managemen