Investigation of a Sustainable Public Health Approach to the Provision of Palliative Care: A Regional Case-Study in Ethiopia

Abstract

Millions of people in Ethiopia have limited access to palliative care. This study describes the status of palliative care and understand, investigate, and make recommendations for a sustainable public health approach to providing palliative care in rural and regional Ethiopia. A multiple embedded mixed method case study design was used. Participants had positive attitudes to providing palliative care but insufficient knowledge and poorer self-reported practice across the region. Access to palliative care drugs was poor. Palliative care was only implemented for human immunodeficiency virus patients. Rural communities offer opportunities to establish palliative care using established groups and mobile phone technology.