Severity of Wound-Related Pain and Associated Factors Among Patients Who Underwent Wound Management at Teaching and Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Wound management is one of the commonly performed procedures in hospitals. It can be a major source of pain and pain may be a frequently experienced but under-considered component of wound management. Therefore, we aimed to determine the severity of wound-related pain and identifying factors associated with it among patients who underwent wound management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An institutional-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May, 2020 in the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. A total of 424 patients were included in this study. Data were collected by direct observation, chart review, and interview of patients by using questionnaires. Statistical analysis had performed using SPSS 25.00 version statistical software. Descriptive statistics were conducted to summarize patients’ information and to determine the prevalence of pain. Bi-variable analysis was performed to determine each of the independent variables and only variables with a P-value<0.2 were entered into the multivariable analysis. The strength of the association was present by odds ratio and 95% Confidence interval. P-value<0.05 was consider as statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of moderate-to-severe wound-related pain during wound management was 94.1% (95% CI=91.7–96.2). Anxiety (AOR=18.16; 95% CI=4.83–68.23), acute wound (AOR=11.49; 95% CI=1.013–130.2), baseline pain (AOR=3.51; 95% CI=1.18–10.46), and analgesia intake (AOR=0.026; 95% CI=0.001–0.895) were significantly associated with the severity of wound-related pain. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of moderate-to-severe wound-related pain was considerably high. Anxiety, type of wound, baseline pain, and analgesia intake were the independent risk factors. Therefore, wound care providers should assess the severity of wound-related pain and manage accordingly. Additionally, more emphasis should be given for patients who have baseline pain, anxiety, and acute wound.