Abstract
The objective of this study is to examine undergraduate nursing students' knowledge and attitudes toward pain management in the University of Hail and differences between groups defined in terms of socio-demographic and other selected characteristics students in knowledge and attitude with regard pain management scores. The descriptive, cross-sectional design included a sample of 150 undergraduates Saudi nursing students of the University of Hail in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to investigate the knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management. The Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain scale (KASRP) was used to measure knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and independent sample t test. Data were collected over a two month period from April 2017 through June 2017. Of the 220 distributed questionnaires; 150 completed questionnaires were returned. The data revealed that nursing students were found to have a lack of knowledge and attitudes towards pain management. The mean correct score for the entire scale was 41.8% (SD=3.71). Findings revealed that there were significant differences found in the students' scores related to the frequency of using pain scales (p<0.05). The study showed that Saudi students lacked the appropriate knowledge and attitudes regarding pain and its management and it is recommended that additional training education should be addressed. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by IASE.