Factors associated with Ghanaian nurses’ knowledge of palliative care: Evidence from a cross-sectional survey based on the Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing
Background: Palliative care is an essential component of holistic healthcare, addressing the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients with serious illnesses. In Ghana, the development and integration of palliative care services remain in their infancy, with nurses playing a cruci...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Palliative Care and Social Practice |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524251346223 |
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| Summary: | Background: Palliative care is an essential component of holistic healthcare, addressing the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients with serious illnesses. In Ghana, the development and integration of palliative care services remain in their infancy, with nurses playing a crucial role in service delivery. Objective: This study aims to assess the level of palliative care knowledge among nurses at a major Ghanaian hospital and identify factors associated with their knowledge using the Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing (PCQN). Design: Cross-sectional design Methods: This study was conducted among 252 nurses at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Participants completed the PCQN, a 20-item validated questionnaire, and provided sociodemographic information. Data were analyzed to determine the relationship between various factors and the nurses’ PCQN scores. Results: The mean score was 9.3 (SD: 2.3). Of the 252 participants, 129 (51.2%) passed with a total score of >10, whereas the remaining 48.8% failed. Male nurses demonstrated significantly higher adjusted odds of scoring higher on the PCQN compared to their female counterparts (adjusted odds ratios (AOR) = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.05–3.10). Additionally, nurses who self-rated themselves as competent to discuss death and bereavement (AOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.03–3.03) and competent to provide pain and symptom management at the end of life (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.01–4.19) had significantly higher adjusted odds of achieving higher scores on the PCQN. Muslim nurses were more likely to score higher on the PCQN compared to their Christian counterparts (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.00–6.47). Conclusion: The study highlights a moderate level of palliative care knowledge among nurses at the 37 Military Hospital. Significant factors influencing knowledge levels include gender, self-rated competence, and religious affiliation. To advance equitable, high-quality palliative care in Ghana, policymakers and educators must prioritize three imperatives: (1) gender-sensitive training reforms to dismantle barriers limiting female nurses’ educational participation; (2) competency-based curricula that pair knowledge acquisition with confidence-building through simulation, mentorship, and reflective practice; and (3) culturally responsive pedagogies co-designed with faith leaders and communities to harmonize palliative care with Ghana’s socioreligious ethos. |
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| ISSN: | 2632-3524 |