Surveys of post-operative pain management in a teaching hospital in Rwanda — 2013 and 2017

Background Postoperative pain management (POPM) appeared to be weak in Rwanda. Aims The aim of this study was to compare POPM measures in a teaching hospital between 2013 and 2017. Methods A two-phase observational study in 2013 and 2017. was conducted. Participants were recruited prior to major surgery and followed for two postoperative days. A numerical rating scale (0–10) was administered to all participants in both years, and the International Pain Outcomes questionnaire was administered in 2017. Recruitment, consent, and data collection were performed in participants’ preferred language. Results One hundred adult participants undergoing major general, gynecologic, orthopedic, or urologic surgery were recruited in 2013 and 83 were recruited in 2017. Fourteen percent of participants in 2013 and 46% in 2017 scored their worst pain as severe (>6; P