Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to describe attitudinal barriers to pain management and identify influencing factors among outpatients with cancer in Vietnam. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 228 patients at Danang Cancer Hospital from November 2023 to May 2024. Data were collected through interviews using standardized tools: BQII-G12 (attitudinal barriers), MMAS-8 (medication adherence), and BPI (pain intensity and interference). Results: Results showed that the mean attitudinal barrier score was 1.7 ± 0.6 (scale 0 - 5), with the highest barriers in the “Physiological effects” (1.9 ± 0.8) and “Adverse events” (1.8 ± 1.2) domains. Multiple linear regression analysis identified two significant predictors: worst pain intensity (β = 0.366; p = 0.003) and medication adherence level (β = -0.229; p = 0.001). Conclusion: The study concludes that attitudinal barriers to pain control in cancer patients are primarily related to concerns about medication side effects and adverse events. Effective pain management and improved treatment adherence may help reduce these barriers, thereby enhancing comprehensive care quality.