The Norwegian Version of the Pediatric Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain: Reliability and Validity
Kari Raaum Hovde, Tone Høilo Granheim, Knut-Andreas Christophersen, Alfhild Dihle

P

ain in children is still both under-estimated and under-treated (Bell et al., 2009; Liossi, 2006; Stinson, Yamada, Dickson, Lamba, & Stevens, 2008; Zempsky, Cravero, & the Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Section of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, 2004). Inadequate treatment of pain in children may cause many negative psychological and physiological consequences, such as fear and anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, increased risk of infections, and delayed wound healing. In addition, poor pain control may result in increased length of stay in the hospital, contribute to the development of chronic pain, and even lead to death (American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP] & American Pain Society [APS], 2001; Liossi, 2006; Schechter, Berde, & Yaster, 2003; Vincent, 2005; Zempsky et al., 2004).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Norwegian version of the Pediatric Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (PNKAS-N) in nurses who work with children in pain. The PNKAS was translated into Norwegian in accordance with international guidelines and pilot tested with 10 nurses. The reliability was estimated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and the test-retest method using Pearson’s r coefficient. Construct validity was established by comparing the scores of 79 nurses and 104 nurse specialists. Face and content validity were satisfactory. Acceptable levels of reliability were demonstrated by a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.71 and Pearson’s r coefficient of 0.83. The questionnaire discriminated between nurses and nurse specialists (p < 0.001). The PNKAS-N demonstrated adequate reliability and