Perceptions of palliative care in a lower middle-income Muslim country: A qualitative study of health care professionals, bereaved families and communities

Abstract

Background:Palliative care has been successfully integrated into many Muslim-majority countries, most frequently in urbanised areas with developed health care systems. Less is known as to how the concept of palliative care is perceived by Muslim populations and health workers in rural, resource-limited contexts.Aim:This study seeks to explore whether the principles of palliative care are congruent with the perspectives of health professionals, families and communities in rural areas of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, in West Africa.Design:A qualitative research design was employed underpinned by a constructionist paradigm. Data were collected through 31 interviews and 8 focus groups. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Setting/participants:A total of 76 participants were recruited from across rural Mauritania; 33 health care professionals, 12 recently bereaved family members and 31 community leaders. Data collection occurred during training events in the capital and visits to villages and rural health posts.Results:Three major themes were identified. First, there is a perceived lack of congruency between an illness which limits life and the strong belief in destiny. The second theme describes the perceived barriers to communication of issues relating to palliative care. Finally, a good death is described, framed within the interplay of religious faith and cultural practices.Conclusion:The palliative care ethos is viewed positively by the majority of participants. The need to understand and respect a Muslim individual’s faith does not diminish our obligation to personalise palliative care provided for them and their family.

Quantifying the Language Barrier—A Total Survey of Parents’ Spoken Languages and Local Language Skills as Perceived by Different Professions in Pediatric Palliative Care

“…The success of intercultural communication does not solely depend on the mastery of a common language, but is significantly determined by the knowledge of cultural aspects [ 22 ]. Cultural factors can, for example, determine what parents want or don’t want to talk about with professionals, which treatment methods are accepted, the preferred gender of the discussion partner, or the position a particular profession holds for parents [ 13 , 48 , 49 ]. A culture-specific understanding of disease might therefore impact the conversation with the care team.…”

General Oncology Care in Mauritania

“…However, in the plan for 2021, the CNO has approved a Department of Palliative Care to start in the first quarter of the year. Few Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) charities such as Cairdeas Medical are also active in this field [28][29][30].…”

Prevalence and Mortality of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in West Africa: Biologic and Sociocultural Factors

“… 57 In Mauritania, BC diagnosis and treatment are often kept a secret from patients by family and religious leaders and patients have no part in treatment decisions. 65 Knowledge gaps remain in the intersection between religion and treatment adherence. Sociocultural and religious beliefs and patient mentality were found to be critical reasons for the delayed diagnosis and treatment of TNBC, contributing to the poor TNBC outcomes among WA communities 66 ; thus, it is paramount to understand how these factors influence patient decisions, specifically in WA, where TNBCs are often diagnosed at a late stage.…”