A systematic review and meta-analysis on palliative care service utilization and its associated factors…

ReviewPalliative care and social practice· 2026

A systematic review and meta-analysis on palliative care service utilization and its associated factors among adult cancer patients in Ethiopia.

Abel Desalegn Demeke, Alemayehu Yeshiwas, Habtamu Gebrie … Ababo Demeke

Palliative & End-of-LifeReviewQ1IF 2.8

College-educated cancer patients in Ethiopia far more likely to use palliative care.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on palliative care service utilization and its associated factors among adult cancer patients in Ethiopia.

Abel Desalegn Demeke … Ababo Demeke

Palliative care and social practice · 2026

Background

Palliative care (palliative care) is essential for helping cancer patients manage pain, exhaustion, despair, and other crippling symptoms.

Purpose

This study seeks to close this important gap by assessing the pooled size of palliative care service utilization among adult cancer patients in Ethiopia and determining its associated characteristics.

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Guideline was followed in conducting the investigation.

Results

college educated patients used palliative care far more often

OR 2.56 (95% CI 1.31 to 5.02)

null 1

1.31

5.02

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

The combined percentage of Ethiopian adult cancer patients who used palliative care services was 45.11% (95% CI: 35.06, 55.16).

The Sidama region had the greatest utilization rate at 51.51% (95% CI: 29.66, 73.36).

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

Palliative care service utilization in Ethiopia was found to be below 50%, highlighting a critical need for intervention.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Higher educational attainment increases the likelihood of using these services, underscoring differences impacted by sociodemographic factors.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Therefore, healthcare professionals and policymakers should focus on several methods to enhance the utilization of palliative care services in Ethiopia.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on palliative care service utilization and its associated factors among adult cancer patients in Ethiopia.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on palliative care service utilization and its associated factors among adult cancer patients in Ethiopia.

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