A comparative study to assess the awareness of palliative care between urban and rural areas of Ernakulum district, Kerala, India

Abstract

Aim:To assess the knowledge and attitude toward palliative care among people residing in urban and rural areas.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted among 185 urban and 165 rural households. Senior-most member of the household present was interviewed using a questionnaire. Only those people who have heard about palliative care were included in the study.Results:Out of 350 people, 47 (13.4%) have heard about palliative care. Of these 38 (20.5%) belonged to urban and 9 (5.4%) belonged to rural areas (P < 0.0001).Twenty-nine (15.7%) participants in urban and 7 (4.2%) in rural areas had some knowledge about palliative care (P = 0.0002). Source of information for 25 (53.2%) participants was newspapers followed by television 17 (36.2%). Thirty-three (86.8%) participants in urban and 7 (77.8%) in rural areas felt that palliative care helps in improving quality of life. Twenty (52.6%) participants in urban and 4 (44.4%) participants in rural areas felt that palliative care can be better provided at homes than hospitals. Thirty (78.9%) urban participants felt that bad news about the patient's condition needs to be told to the patient first and then to their family members. In case of rural participants majority 7 (77.8%) said vice versa (P = 0.0039).Conclusion:Overall awareness of palliative care was poor. This calls for large-scale awareness campaigns. As home-based palliative care was preferred by many, home visits by care providers and training of family members of patient's needing palliative care needs to be practiced widely.

Assessment of status of patients receiving palliative home care and services provided in a rural area-Kerala, India

“…[14] The aim of palliative care is to get the highest quality of life for patient and their families. [16] As expressed by the 78% of the responders of a community study,[3] home care improves the quality of life.…”

“…[1] National policy is to promote the concept of “ageing in place or aging in own home and home care services and consider institutional care as the last resort.”[2] Some studies found out that palliative home care is better than hospital and also more cost-effective. [3]…”

Trend of Urban-Rural Disparities in Hospice Utilization in Taiwan

“…A study in Canada showed the consistency and depth of palliative care service provision in British Columbia differed across community sites [7]. In India, the awareness of palliative care was known to be higher in urban areas than in rural areas [8]. The issue of urban-rural disparity thus deserves investigation in the development of palliative care worldwide.…”

Motivations that Sustain the Work of Volunteers in Community Based Palliative Care: A Qualitative Exploration

“…(Rajagopal & Palat, 2002) Homebased palliative care are preferred widely and thus mandates the need for wider practice. (Joseph, Jayarama, & Kotian, 2009)Recruitment of volunteers is essential for meeting the man power requirements in developing economies. Volunteers have the potential to cover wider area in community education and health care.…”