Background Pharmacological methods are widely used for postoperative pain management however, poorly controlled pain continues to pose a significant challenge. Non pharmacological methods could contribute to the unresolved postoperative pain management in assisting nurses’ routine care and reducing the need for medication. This study aimed to assess nurses’ utilization of non-pharmacological methods in postoperative pain and the perceived barriers for their implementation at the National Hospitals. Methods This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted among 154 nurses working at the National Referral Hospitals and Sembel Private Hospital. A standardized five-point Likert-scale questionnaire which assesses nurses’ utilization of selected non-pharmacological methods and the perceived barriers for the implementation was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics for the demographic data, independent samples t-test, one way ANOVA and factorial ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Statistical significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results The study found out that emotional support (45.5%), helping with daily activities (67.5%) and creating a comfortable environment (61%) were mostly used while, cognitive-behavioral (5.9%) and physical methods (5.8%) were hardly used. The results also showed that, characteristics such as, age (p = 0.013), level of education (p = 0.012), work experience (p = 0.001) and place of work (p = 0.001), were significantly related to the use of non-pharmacological methods at bivariate level. However, hospitals were the only determinants of the non-pharmacological methods at multivariable level with a statistical significance of (p < 0.001). On the perceived barriers; heavy work load (87.7%), shortage of time (84.4%), limited resources (82.5%), deficit in the guidelines for pain management (77.3%), patient’s uncooperative behavior (57.1%), language difference (64.4%), nurse’s lack of knowledge (50%) and experience (40.3%) were identified. Conclusion The use of non-pharmacological methods in the studied hospitals varied greatly due to knowledge and experience of the nurses. Therefore, it is recommended that exposure and training for all health care providers at all level is a paramount importance in order to appreciate the benefits of non-pharmacological methods applicable to postoperative pain management. This could be achieved through on job training, seminars, scientific conferences and other brainstorming forums.

Background Postoperative pain remains a concern to both patients and health care professionals. Non-pharmacological pain relief methods have the potential to complement pharmacological interventions and may offer alternative treatment options. The aim of the study was to assess nurses’ utilization of postoperative nurses’ non-pharmacological pain relief methods and the perceived barriers for their implementation in the National Hospitals. Methods Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 154 nurses working at the National Referral Hospitals and Sembel Private Hospital. A standardized five-point Likert-scale questionnaire which assesses nurses' utilization of selected non-pharmacological methods and the perceived barriers for the implementation of those methods were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics for the demographic data, independent samples t-test and one way ANOVA for the nurses’ utilization of the non-pharmacological methods and perceived barriers were used to analyze the data. Statistical significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results The study found that emotional support (45.5%), helping with daily activities (67.5%) and creating a comfortable environment (61%) were reported to be the most frequently used methods, whereas the cognitive-behavioral (5.9%) and physical methods (5.8%) were found with less frequency. The results also show that characteristics, such as the nurses' age (p = 0.013), education (p = 0.012), work experience (p = 0.001) and place of work (p = 0.001), were significantly related to the use of non-pharmacological methods. Among the various perceived barriers, health care system related barriers such as heavy work load (87.7%), shortage of time (84.4%), limited resources (82.5%), deficit in the guidelines for pain management (77.3%), lack of administrative support (76.6%) followed by patient related barriers such as patients uncooperative behavior (57.1%) were identified. Conclusion Only few of the non-pharmacological methods were found to be utilized by the nurses as pain relieving strategies and various perceived barriers are existing among the nurses towards the utilization of these methods. Nurses in these settings need training and education on non-pharmacological pain relief methods, particularly on methods that are utilized less often.

Introduction:Maternal health is one of the eight Millennium Development Goals, is central to poverty reduction and overall development, and it increased international attention for monitoring progress on maternal health and improving access to skilled attendants at deliveries. In Kenya, 44 percent of births are delivered under the supervision of a health professional, mainly a nurse or midwife. Traditional birth attendants continue to play a vital role in delivery, assisting with 28 percent of births. Objectives: This research paper aimed to analysetherole of Health Seeking Behaviour onthe utilization of skilled delivery services by Maasai women, the study population belonging to a community of nomadic life style in North of Kajiado County inKenya. Methodology: The study design was a cross sectional descriptive study adopting both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The sample size was 264 women of reproductive age obtained by using formula given by Fisher et al., when the population is more than 10,000. The quantitative data has been analyzed using (SPSS) version 17.0 while the qualitative data was analyzed by summarizing of the themes. Results: Results show that 57.2% Maasai women go to the health facility in case of illnesses, while 7.6% consulted their mother in law., husbands make most of the decisions (40.2%) on the place of delivery of the expectant mothers whereas as the relatives make the least decisions 5.7%.Preparation of the expectant mother for delivery did not have a statistical significant p-0.046. The traditional rite of passage practices had no statistical significance p-0.190. 72% of womencould mention at least one correct danger sign for pregnancy out of the posssible four. 97.7% of the Maasai women take more than 1hour to reach to the nearest health facility and less than 1% of them take less than 30minutes to reach to the health facility, 56.1%, of the women had delivered at home while 11.4% were assisted by health personnel at the facility, 69% of those who delivered in the hospital paid > 500 shillings compared to 8% of those who paid < 500 shillings. A mount paid for skilled delivery had a statistical significance, (p<0.001).Available online at: www.medresearch.in 145| P a g e Data Analysis: Quantitative Data was entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 17.0 and further analysed using descriptive statistics including narration. Data was then presented using frequencies, graphical techniques, ratios, rates and percentages Bivariate and Univariate analysis was used to describe the correlations. Qualitative data were analysed through content and thematic analysis. The main themes included are health seeking behaviour, decision on the place of delivery, preparation of expectant mother, knowledge on the danger signs of pregnancy, time to reach health facility, cost paid to skilled delivery, views on the health facility staff behaviour.

Maternal health is one of the eight Millennium Development Goals, is central to poverty reduction and overall development, and it increased international attention for monitoring progress on maternal health and improving access to skilled attendants at deliveries.  In Kenya, 44 percent of births are delivered under the supervision of a health professional, mainly a nurse or midwife. Traditional birth attendants continue to play a vital role in delivery, assisting with 28 percent of births. This research paper aimed to study in relation to the utilization of skilled delivery services, the knowledge of the danger signs of pregnancy in Maasai women, the study population belonging to a community of nomadic life style in North of Kajiado County in Kenya. The study design was a cross sectional descriptive study adopting both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The sample size was 264 women of reproductive age obtained by using formula given by Fisher et al. when the population is more than 10,000.The quantitative data has been analyzed using (SPSS) version 17.0 while the qualitative data was analyzed by summarizing of the themes. Results show  that 7.6% of  Maasai women consult  their mother in law, husbands make most of the decisions 40.2% on  the place of delivery of the expectant mothers whereas as the relatives  make the least  decisions 5.7%. Preparation of the expectant mother for delivery did not have a statistical significant p-0.046.The traditional rite of passage practices had no statistical significance p -0.190. 72% of women could mention at least one correct danger sign for pregnancy out of the posssible four. 97.7% of the Maasai women take more than 1hour to reach to the nearest health facility and less than 1% of them take less than 30minutes to reach to the health facility.  

Background: Pharmacological methods are widely used for postoperative pain management however, poorly controlled pain continues to pose a significant challenge. Non pharmacological methods could contribute to the unresolved postoperative pain management in assisting nurses’ routine care and reducing the need for medication. This study aimed to assess nurses’ utilization of non-pharmacological methods in postoperative pain and the perceived barriers for their implementation at the National Hospitals.Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted among 154 nurses working at the National Referral Hospitals and Sembel Private Hospital. A standardized five-point Likert-scale questionnaire which assesses nurses' utilization of selected non-pharmacological methods and the perceived barriers for the implementation was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics for the demographic data, independent samples t-test, one way ANOVA and factorial ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Statistical significance level was set at P < 0.05.Results: The study found out that emotional support (45.5%), helping with daily activities (67.5%) and creating a comfortable environment (61%) were mostly used while, cognitive-behavioral (5.9%) and physical methods (5.8%) were hardly used. The results also showed that, characteristics such as, age (p=0.013), level of education (p=0.012), work experience (p=0.001) and place of work (p=0.001), were significantly related to the use of non-pharmacological methods at bivariate level. However, hospitals were the only determinants of the non-pharmacological methods at multivariable level with a statistical significance of (p<0.001). On the perceived barriers; heavy work load (87.7%), shortage of time (84.4%), limited resources (82.5%), deficit in the guidelines for pain management (77.3%), patient’s uncooperative behavior (57.1%), language difference (64.4%), nurse’s lack of knowledge (50%) and experience (40.3%) were identified.Conclusion: The use of non-pharmacological methods in the studied hospitals varied greatly on the knowledge and experience of the nurses. Therefore, it is recommended that exposure and training for all health care providers at all level is a paramount importance in order to appreciate the benefits of non-pharmacological methods applicable to postoperative pain management. This could be achieved through on job training, seminars, scientific conferences and other brainstorming forums.