A tale of two countries: comparison of the perceptions of analgesics among Finnish and American parents.
Our purpose was to compare parental perceptions regarding children's analgesics in Finland and the USA. Data were collected from 315 Finnish and 110 American parents of children undergoing surgery using questionnaires. Cross-tabulation, and chi2 were used in the analysis. Parents thought that analgesia should be given regularly, but more American than Finnish parents thought analgesics should be given to the child before the pain becomes severe. Additionally, more American than Finnish parents stated that children easily become dependent on analgesics and that analgesics for home use may be dangerous for children. Nurses should be aware of parents' incorrect perceptions which may be barriers to children's pain relief.
Kankkunen
Päivi M
PM
Department of Nursing Science, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. paivi.kankkunen@uku.fi
Vehviläinen-Julkunen
Katri M
KM
Pietilä
Anna-Maija K
AM
Kokki
Hannu
H
Grey
Margaret
M
Kain
Zeev N
ZN
Zisk
Rachel Y
RY
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010290:Parents; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000700:Analgesics