Predictors of Nurses' Attitudes to Palliative Care in Lubumbashi

Palliative care is essential for enhancing the quality of life for patients with life-threatening illnesses, with nurses playing a crucial role in its delivery. Nurses' attitudes towards palliative care significantly impact the quality of care provided. Understanding the factors shaping these attitudes is vital for optimizing palliative care services. This study aims to investigate the demographic and professional variables associated with nurses' attitudes towards palliative care in Lubumbashi.

We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive cross-sectional study in the city of Lubumbashi. The different frequencies were compared using the chi-square test. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A logistic regression with Wald's step-by-step method allowed us to establish relationships between sociodemographic and attitude variables.

The type of institution (parastatal or state) and the existence of a palliative approach in the structure were significantly associated with the occurrence of a favorable attitude towards palliative care, with adjusted Odds Ratios of 8.277 (95% CI: 3.28 -23.50) and 2.76 (CI: 1.028-7.43) respectively. However, the data in this table show that palliative care training and level of education were more likely to be factors influencing a favorable attitude to palliative care, with adjusted ORs of 0.092 (95% CI: 0.010-0.851) and 0.36 (CI: 0.132 -0.963) respectively.

Educational initiatives and policy interventions are crucial for shaping nurses' attitudes towards palliative care. Addressing these through targeted programs is essential for promoting a positive palliative care culture.

This study provides insights into factors influencing nurses' attitudes towards palliative care in Lubumbashi. Lower education levels and para-state employment correlated with more favorable attitudes, while training and policies were lacking. Educational and policy interventions are necessary to foster a positive palliative care culture among nurses and improve end-of-life care quality.