THE USE OF NONPHARMACOLOGICAL MEASURES IN THE RELIEF OF PATIENTS' PAIN BY NURSES IN A TERTIARY HEALTH INSTITUTION

ABSTRACT This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed the use of non-pharmacological pain management techniques among nurses at a tertiary healthcare institution. Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly recognized as essential components of comprehensive pain management, complementing pharmacological treatments to provide holistic care. The study aimed to evaluate the frequency of use, types of techniques implemented, and the factors influencing nurses’ choices of non-pharmacological methods. A proportional purposive sampling technique was used to select 130 nurses, who were then surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Results showed that 64.3% of nurses regularly employed non-pharmacological pain management strategies, with reassurance and emotional support (81.4%), massage (79.1%), and patient education and counseling (76.0%) as the most frequently utilized methods. Additionally, hot/cold compress therapy (73.6%), deep breathing exercises (68.2%), and patient repositioning (69.8%) were common practices. Factors influencing these choices included institutional policies (72.9%), workload (72.1%), and specialized training in non-pharmacological techniques (69.0%). Nurses’ beliefs (65.9%), time constraints (63.6%), and patient preferences (61.2%) also had significant impacts on their choices. Younger nurses with higher educational qualifications demonstrated greater utilization of these interventions, suggesting that age and education may positively impact the adoption of non-pharmacological techniques. The study highlights that while non-pharmacological pain management methods are widely used by 76.7% of nurses, various institutional and personal factors influence their implementation. To enhance non-pharmacological pain relief practices, it is recommended that healthcare institutions provide specialized training and create supportive policies to reduce workload barriers. Additionally, incorporating patient preferences into care plans could strengthen the therapeutic impact of these interventions. Future research should explore the long-term effectiveness of non-pharmacological pain management methods and examine strategies to address barriers that limit their use in diverse healthcare settings. Keywords: Non-pharmacological measures, Relief, Patients’ pain, Nurses, Tertiary health institution