Beliefs And Attitudes Of Institutionalized Elderly About Pain
Abd El-Wahed, M., Makhlouf, M. (2001). Beliefs And Attitudes Of Institutionalized Elderly About Pain. EKB Journal Management System, 31(4), 783-798. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2001.225973
Mahassen A. Abd El-Wahed; Mohamed MM. Makhlouf. "Beliefs And Attitudes Of Institutionalized Elderly About Pain". EKB Journal Management System, 31, 4, 2001, 783-798. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2001.225973
Abd El-Wahed, M., Makhlouf, M. (2001). 'Beliefs And Attitudes Of Institutionalized Elderly About Pain', EKB Journal Management System, 31(4), pp. 783-798. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2001.225973
Abd El-Wahed, M., Makhlouf, M. Beliefs And Attitudes Of Institutionalized Elderly About Pain. EKB Journal Management System, 2001; 31(4): 783-798. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2001.225973

Beliefs And Attitudes Of Institutionalized Elderly About Pain

Journal of High Institute of Public Health
Article 4, Volume 31, Issue 4, October 2001, Page 783-798  XML
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/jhiph.2001.225973
View on SCiNiTO View on SCiNiTO
Authors
Mahassen A. Abd El-Wahed1; Mohamed MM. Makhlouf2
1Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt
2Geriatric Health, Family Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
Abstract
Pain is an extremely common problem among the elderly in all settings. However, it is often under- reported and commonly under- assessed. Individual beliefs and attitudes have long been considered important factors in how people respond to pain. So, this study aimed to explore the beliefs and attitudes of the institutionalized elderly regarding pain and its / management. The study included 85 elderly recruited from three geriatric institutions in Alexandria. Two approaches were used in the study; a qualitative one utilizing focus group discussion methodology, and a quantitative one comprising structured interview. The results showed that the majority of the elderly were females [71.8%], young old [60% ] and illiterate or just read and write [70.58]. Most of the elderly [88.2%] had chronic pain experiences. Most of them believe that pain is a common and expected problem for the elderly due to the presence of several health problems and that they have to put up with their pain. The majority believes that they can tolerate pain more than the young. Most of them were reluctant to express their pain due to different reasons. Inconsistency regarding the appropriateness, effectiveness and complications of pain relieving medications was found among the elderly, but the majority believes that these drugs are not good for them. Many elderly adopted distraction and other measures to relieve their pain.
Keywords
Beliefs; Attitudes; Institutionalized Elderly; Pain
Statistics
Article View: 64