Huang, Kristin T. L.Owino, ClaudioGramelspacher, Gregory P.Monahan, Patrick O.Tabbey, RebekaHagembe, MildredStrother, Robert M.Njuguna, FestusVreeman, Rachel C.2016-03-142016-03-142013-10Huang, K. T. L., Owino, C., Gramelspacher, G. P., Monahan, P. O., Tabbey, R., Hagembe, M., … Vreeman, R. C. (2013). Prevalence and Correlates of Pain and Pain Treatment in a Western Kenya Referral Hospital. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 16(10), 1260–1267. http://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2013.0080https://hdl.handle.net/1805/8821BACKGROUND: Pain is often inadequately evaluated and treated in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess pain levels and pain treatment in 400 hospitalized patients at a national referral hospital in western Kenya, and to identify factors associated with pain and pain treatment. DESIGN: Using face-validated Kiswahili versions of two single-item pain assessment tools, the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R), we determined patients' pain levels. Additional data collected included patient demographics, prescribed analgesics, and administered analgesics. We calculated mean pain ratings and pain management index (PMI) scores. RESULTS: Averaged between the NRS and FPS-R, 80.5% of patients endorsed a nonzero level of pain and 30% of patients reported moderate to severe pain. Older patients, patients with HIV, and cancer patients had higher pain ratings. Sixty-six percent of patients had been prescribed analgesics at some point during their hospitalization, the majority of which were nonopioids. A majority of patients (66%) had undertreated pain (negative scores on the PMI). CONCLUSION: This study shows that hospitalized patients in Kenya are experiencing pain and that this pain is often undertreated.en-USPublisher PolicyAdolescentAgedAdultAged, 80 and overChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansKenya -- EpidemiologyMaleMiddle AgedPain -- EpidemiologyPain Management -- MethodsPain MeasurementPrevalenceArticle