Using the KASRP questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding pain: Preliminary results

Abstract

Introduction/Objective: Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. In nursing practice, pain is defined as "whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever the person says it does". This study aimed to assess the feasibility of applying the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP) questionnaire and to present preliminary results on nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding pain, in relation to age, years of work experience, education level, and organizational unit of employment. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in November and December 2022 among the nurses employed at the Institute of Oncology of Vojvodina. Data were collected using the KASRP questionnaire, consisting of 42 items assessing sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes regarding pain. Results: The KASRP questionnaire proved feasible in the study population. Nurses demonstrated an average level of knowledge and neutral attitudes toward pain (52.42%). Poor knowledge and negative attitudes were observed in the domains of cancer-related pain and pain assessment; average knowledge was registered in the area of pharmacological management, while good knowledge was noted regarding substance abuse. KASRP scores were not significantly associated with age, years of work experience, or education level. However, they differed significantly in relation to the organizational unit of employment. Conclusion: The findings represent preliminary results obtained using the KASRP questionnaire and may serve as a basis for further research and psychometric evaluation of its Serbian version.