# Prevalence, Severity, and Associated Factors of Postoperative Pain among Paediatric Patients Admitted to Paediatric Wards, Jimma University Medical Center, Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study examines postoperative pain in children in Ethiopia, finding high prevalence and identifying factors like incision size and surgery duration as key predictors.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific predictors of moderate-to-severe postoperative pain in pediatric patients in a resource-limited setting.

## Key findings

- The highest prevalence of overall postoperative pain was observed 6 hours after surgery (83.7%).
- Moderate-to-severe postoperative pain occurred in 38.9% of patients 6 hours post-surgery.
- Incision size >10 cm and surgery duration ≥1 hour were significant predictors of postoperative pain.

## Abstract

Pain is a stressful condition considered a global health problem, with children being the most vulnerable and underserved population. Inadequate management of pediatric postoperative pain (POP) results in increased suffering, morbidity, and mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs.

A longitudinal prospective study design was employed using a structured questionnaire and checklist. The study population consisted of all pediatric patients who underwent surgical procedures and met the inclusion criteria. The consecutive sampling technique was used to enroll participants. Data entry and analyses were conducted using Epidata version 6.0 and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the dependent variable.

A total of 154 postoperative pediatric patients participated in the study, yielding a 100% response rate. The mean age was 4.14 ± 4.19 years. The highest prevalence of overall POP and moderate-to-severe POP was observed at 6 hours postoperatively (n=129, 83.7%) and (n=60, 38.9%), respectively. Independent predictors associated with POP included incision size greater than 10 cm (AOR=8.73, 95% CI 1.07–71.02, p=0.043) and surgery duration ≥1 hour (AOR=2.02, 95% CI 1.01–4.03, p=0.045).

The study revealed that the highest prevalence of moderate-to-severe POP occurred 6 hours post-surgery (60, 38.9%). Healthcare providers need to promptly assess and treat POP to reduce its consequences in this population.