Development and preliminary testing of a culturally-friendly pain assessment tool for children (Crying Faces Pain Scale)

• Main Authors: Chidozie E. Mbada (Ph.D.), Ayodele E. Orimolade (FMCS), Omoseye C. Falujo (BMR – PT), Ajibola B. Oladiran (FWACS), John O. Omole (M.Sc), Olubusola E. Johnson (Ph.D.), Elizabeth O. Oziegbe (FMCDS), Atilola O. Adebambo (M.Sc), Kehinde O. Omole (FWACP)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Univeristy of Physical Education in Krakow 2019-02-01
• Series: Rehabilitacja Medyczna
• Subjects: Pain; Crying; Children; Nigeria
• Online Access: http://rehmed.pl/gicid/01.3001.0013.0209

Having a universal tool for assessing pain in children is hamstrung by cultural sensitivity. This study aimed to develop and validate a culturally-friendly pain assessment tool (i.e. Crying Faces Pain Scale (CFPS)) among Nigerian Children. This study employed criterion-standard design. The study was in three phases, namely: (1) development of CFPS, (2) cross-validity and (3) validation of the CFPS. 70 children (39 (55.7%) males and 31 (44.3%) females) within the age range of 4-13 years who had post-surgical pain, orthopaedic pain, stomach pain or headache were involved in the validation phase. Psychometric properties and preferences for the CFPS compared with the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (FACES) were examined. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Alpha level was set at p<0.05. The median score of the CFPS was 4.60 compared to FACES median score of 4.49. There was weak correlation between FACES and CFPS (r=0.325; p=0.006). Preference score as a culturally friendly tool for CFPS and FACES was 6.07±1.23 and 3.67±1.09 respectively, based on a modified 0-10 numerical pain scale. Conclusions: The crying faces pain scale has fair psychometric properties for assessing pain in children. However, CFPS was preferred to FACES as a culturally friendly tool for assessing pain among Nigerian children. Implications: The CFPS is more culturally friendly and so might be better suited as a pain scale in Africa. However, due to its fair psychometric properties, further studies may be needed to improve upon this scale.