Adequacy of cancer-related pain management and associated factors among cancer patients in Northwest Ethiopia a multicentre cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Pain is the most frequent problem and deleterious symptom reported by cancer patients. It is a persistent, distressing, and life-threatening condition that markedly affects the quality of life of cancer patients all over the world. Despite the availability of numerous standards for cancer-related pain treatment, studies from throughout the world show that patients often receive poor pain management. Objective: This study aims to assess the adequacy of cancer-related pain management and associated factors among cancer patients in Northwestern Ethiopia Method: A hospital-based multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in Northwestern Ethiopia from May to July 2022. In cancer patients, a systematic random sampling technique was used to select representatives from each study area. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software, and variables were described using frequencies and proportions. Bivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine independent predictors of the adequacy of cancer-related pain management. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 422 participants were included, and more than half of them 249 (59%) were female. Less than half of the participants, 108 (25.6%) and 174 (41.2%) have a history of pain and metastasis, respectively. All the participants experience cancer-related pain with varying degrees of severity. About 67.5% of the participants had adequate cancer-related pain management (CI; 62.8-72). Patients with good performance status and a previous history of pain were likely to have inadequate pain management. Conclusion; Using pain management index status in Northwestern Ethiopia, 67.5% of patients with cancer-related pain obtain adequate pain management. The adequacy of cancer-related pain management was found to be influenced by factors like comorbidity, past pain history, and Eastern cooperative oncology group performance status.