Abstract

This study examined the factors influencing the perception of pain among clients attending the pain and palliative care unit of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin. The population comprised of various clients with terminal illnesses such as cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), severe heart or kidney failure etc who experience pain, and attending the unit for treatment and follow-up care. Random sampling technique was used in selecting one hundred and five (105) subjects for the study. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection, and was drawn in line with a Likert’s rating scale. The result showed that level of awareness, age and educational level influenced pain perception. Chi-square was used to test hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that cultural practices had significant influence on perception of pain. Based on the results, it was recommended that regular seminars, and continuing education programmes should be organized for training nurses on pain management. Palliative nursing care should be recognized as a speciality in nursing.

Key words: Hospice care, palliative nursing care, pain, pain perception, terminal illness.