Knowledge and associated factors towards palliative care among nurses in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Palliative care is a holistic care that emphasises on relieving pain and other symptoms of a critical illness, irrespective of age, diagnosis, or stage of illness. It improves the quality of life of the individual. Since nurses spend the longest time with patients, they are the heart of the palliative care team who deliver high standards of care. This study was intended to assess the pooled prevalence of knowledge and associated factors towards palliative care among nurses in Ethiopia. During this study, a comprehensive search was performed by using different databases. A funnel plot and Egger’s test were used to evaluate a publication bias. I(2) statistic was used to check the heterogeneity between the studies. The subgroup analysis was also conducted for this study. A total of 11 studies with 3330 study participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The systematic review and meta-analysis showed that the pooled prevalence of knowledge towards palliative care among nurses in Ethiopia was 42.31% (95% confidence interval = [32.41, 52.21]). Educational status (adjusted odds ratio = 2.69, 95% confidence interval = [1.11, 4.25]), experience of caring for a dying patient (adjusted odds ratio = 3.15, 95% confidence interval = [1.17, 5.13]), and training on palliative care (adjusted odds ratio = 2.53, 95% confidence interval = [1.42, 3.64]) were factors significantly associated with the knowledge of nurses towards palliative care. This study indicated that the pooled prevalence of knowledge towards palliative care among nurses in Ethiopia was low. Educational status, experience of caring for a dying patient, and training on palliative care were factors significantly associated with the knowledge of nurses towards palliative care. Thus, training on palliative care and education is suggested for nurses to improve their knowledge towards palliative care. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021247590