ArticleBMJ open2026
Utilization of palliative care services among adult patients with cancer at Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma, southwestern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.
Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
objectiveThis study aims to assess palliative care service utilization among adult patients with cancer and examine how sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and patients' perceptions of palliative care influence this behaviour.
designA facility-based cross-sectional study design using the multivariate logistic regression model was employed to identify sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics and perceptions of patients determining palliative care service utilization among adult patients with cancer. SETTINGS: Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma, Southwestern, Ethiopia.
participantsA total of 409 participants were able to complete the interviewer-administered questionnaires from 20 February to 25 December 2024. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome of the study was utilisation of palliative care services, defined by the proportion of patients who actually used the service. The independent variables included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and patients' perceptions of palliative care utilisation, measured by Perception of Palliative Care Instrument constructs.
results39.4% of the participants used palliative care services. Female gender (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.5, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.8), diploma and above educational level (AOR=1.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.6), employed occupational status (AOR=2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.3), having five or more family members (AOR=3.4, 95% CI 2.0 to 5.7), being diagnosed at Stage IV (AOR=0.6, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.8) and having a good perception of palliative care needs (AOR=1.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.5) were identified as being significantly associated with the utilization of palliative care services at p<0.05.
conclusionThe utilization of palliative care services was suboptimal among our participants. Being female and receiving a cancer diagnosis at an advanced stage contributed to the underutilisation of palliative care services. Conversely, higher educational level, being employed, increased family size and positive perception increased utilisation. Therefore, a family-centred approach to palliative care services, early integration into the care process and addressing gender inequities are highly recommended.
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