A study to determine knowledge, attitude and utilisation of hospice services by families with chronically and terminally ill patients at the university teaching hospital, kalingalinga and chawama health centre in lusaka district.

Abstract

The general objective of the study was to determine knowledge, attitudes and utilisation of hospice services by families with chronically and terminally ill patients in Lusaka District. The review of literature globally, regionally and nationally revealed that knowledge plays an important role in the development of positive attitudes and utilisation of the hospice services. Other factors that may influence hospice service utilisation are community involvement and an understanding of their social-culture aspect. A descriptive non intervention cross section design was used, which aimed at quantifying the distribution of knowledge, attitude and utilisation of hospice service in the study population. The study was conducted at the University Teaching Hospital, Kalingalinga and Chawama Health Centres in Lusaka District. attitudes and utilisation of hospice services by families with chronically and terminally ill patients in Lusaka District. A descriptive non intervention cross section design was used, which aimed at quantifying the distribution of knowledge, attitude and utilisation of hospice service in the study population. The findings of the study were that majority 33 (66%) of the respondents had low knowledge of hospice service, 13 (26%) had moderate knowledge, while 4 (8%) had high knowledge of hospice service in Lusaka District. The majority 40 (80%) of the respondents had positive attitude towards hospice services. In terms of utilisation majority 44 (88%) of the respondents had not utilised a hospice service before.