Assessment of Pain Management Practices in Postoperative Patients at a Military Hospital in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory

Background: Effective postoperative pain management is critical to patient recovery, satisfaction, and prevention of chronic pain development. Despite its clinical importance, pain remains undertreated in many Nigerian healthcare facilities. This study assessed pain management practices in postoperative patients at a military hospital in Abuja. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over six weeks, involving 180 postoperative patients in the surgical ward. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale at 6, 12, and 24 hours post-operation. Analgesic prescriptions were reviewed for drug selection, timing, dosing, and use of multimodal analgesia. Results: Moderate to severe pain was reported in 58 percent of patients at 6 hours post-operation. Paracetamol alone was prescribed as the sole analgesic in 42 percent of cases. Opioids were underused (prescribed in only 18 percent of appropriate cases). Multimodal analgesia was employed in fewer than 25 percent of cases. Pain reassessment within the first 24 hours was documented in only 39 percent of patients. Conclusion: Postoperative pain management in this Abuja facility is inadequate and predominantly relies on monotherapy. Adoption of multimodal analgesia protocols and regular pain reassessment documentation must be enforced. Keywords: postoperative pain, pain management, analgesics, Abuja, multimodal analgesia