OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the incidence and associated factors of acute postoperative pain after cesarean section within the first 24 h of postoperative period.

METHODS

An institutional-based prospective observational study was conducted on parturients who had undergone cesarean section in Gandhi Memorial Hospital from 1 December 2019 to 28 February 2020. A numerical rating scale was used to evaluate the incidence of acute postoperative pain. Patients having a pain score of >4 were considered having moderate-to-severe pain on numerical rating scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess the association of variables. A value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant association with dependent variables.

RESULT

In total, 290 parturients participated in the study with a response rate of 98%. Moderate-to-severe acute postoperative pain after cesarean section was 76.2% (95% confidence interval: 71%, 81%) in the first 24 h postoperatively. On multivariable analysis, previous cesarean section history (adjusted odds ratio: 2.80, 95% confidence interval: 1.40, 5.55;  = 0.003), preoperative anxiety (adjusted odds ratio: 2.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.45, 5.05;  = 0.003), transverse incision type (adjusted odds ratio: 3.35, 95% confidence interval: 1.67, 6.72;  = 0.002), and incision length (adjusted odds ratio: 2.46, 95% confidence interval: 1.24, 4.85;  = 0.009) were identified as risk factors for postoperative moderate-to-severe acute pain.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of moderate-to-severe postoperative pain was high in the first 24-h postoperative period; this indicates that pain management after cesarean section was treated inadequately. History of previous cesarean section, preoperative anxiety, transverse incision, and incision length >10 cm were the factors of postoperative acute pain after cesarean section. Therefore, we suggest the study institution develop a protocol for pain management.