FACTORS INFLUENCING THE END-OF-LIFE CARE PRACTICE AMONG NURSES IN THE IN-PATIENT WARDS IN KISUMU COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL. KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA.

Abstract

Background: End-of-life care is a holistic approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with and relief of suffering using early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other health problems, including physical, psychosocial or spiritual [World Health Organization (WHO), 2020). It is that part of palliative care that focuses on patients with life-threatening diseases and a life expectancy of 6 to 12 months. End-of-life care helps patients to die in peace, comfort, and dignity. Study purpose: The study aim was to assess the factors influencing the end-of-life care practice among nurses in the in-patient wards in Kisumu County Referral Hospital, Kisumu County, Kenya. Methodology: The study was done in inpatient wards at KCRH Kisumu county using descriptive cross-sectional study. Convenience method was utilized to determine the sample size of those who participated in this project due to small numbers of the nurses in the inpatient wards and the participants were sampled from various inpatient wards using stratified proportionate random sampling. 10% of the sample size was used to conduct the pilot study in the casualty department. Self-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect data from the nurses in the inpatient wards. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire was ensured. Ethical principles were also ensured. The findings were analyzed using SPSS and presented using graphs, pie charts and frequency tables. The final copy of the findings was presented at the school of nursing, the printed copies, one submitted for marking, one to KCRH, and another one to Uzima University library. Participants: The participants in the study were nurses who are registered and licensed by the Nursing Council of Kenya in inpatient wards at KCRH. Sampling method: The participants were selected using stratified proportionate random sampling. Benefits of the study: The findings may help to enhance the quality of end-of-life care by developing the future health and social care workforce, recruiting of trainee staff, developing universal end of life care skills across health and social care, and support for informal careers and to ensure their information and training needs are met as well as their general support need