Factors affecting need and utilization of palliative care services among Ethiopian women in an oncology department: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Palliative care, which aims to alleviate physical and emotional distress from cancer, is underutilized in many African healthcare systems. Therefore, there is a lack of data on the need and utilization of palliative care services among women with breast cancer in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to identify the level of need and utilization of palliative care services and identify associated factors among women in an oncology department of Hawassa comprehensive and specialized hospitals.

DESIGN

Hospital-based cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A total of 121 women age ⩾18 years old with breast cancer participated from 1 August to 30 October 2021. A hospital-based consecutive sampling technique was used. Data regarding the need and utilization of palliative care services were collected questionnaire and interview, entered using EpiData 4.6.0.6, and analyzed by SPSS version 25. Variables with  < 0.25 were considered for multivariate analysis, and those with  < 0.05 indicate an association with palliative care utilization.

RESULT

Seventy-two (59.5%) had worse utilization of palliative care services, with higher odds in rural areas (adjusted odds ratio = 11.82).

CONCLUSION

The study findings indicated that more than half of the study participants had worse utilization of palliative care services, with rural living being a contributing factor.