Background of the Study: Palliative care is a comprehensive approach to improving the quality of life for patients with serious, life-limiting illnesses, especially the elderly. It focuses on symptom management, pain relief, and emotional support for patients and their families (Abubakar et al., 2023). However, in rural areas of Nigeria, the elderly population often faces numerous barriers to accessing effective palliative care. These barriers may include inadequate healthcare infrastructure, lack of trained healthcare providers, cultural beliefs, and limited financial resources (Sulaimon & Adebayo, 2024). In Kaduna State, rural areas are particularly underserved in terms of palliative care services, despite the growing need due to an aging population.
Nurses play a critical role in palliative care, providing comfort, administering pain relief, and ensuring that patients’ physical and emotional needs are met (Oluwatoyin et al., 2024). However, rural areas often lack specialized palliative care teams, and nurses may be limited in their ability to provide comprehensive care. This study seeks to assess the barriers that hinder effective palliative care for the elderly in rural areas of Kaduna State, with a focus on the role of nurses in overcoming these challenges.
Statement of the Problem: Despite the importance of palliative care for elderly patients with chronic or terminal conditions, many rural communities in Kaduna State lack access to these services. The barriers to effective palliative care in these areas have not been well documented, and there is little research on the role of nurses in addressing these challenges. Nurses in rural settings may face unique obstacles, such as a lack of training, inadequate resources, and cultural stigmas that affect the provision of end-of-life care. This study will examine these barriers and provide recommendations for improving palliative care delivery in rural Kaduna State.
Objectives of the Study:
Research Questions:
Research Hypotheses:
Scope and Limitations of the Study: This study will focus on elderly patients in rural areas of Kaduna State. It will examine the barriers to palliative care from the perspective of nurses working in these settings. Limitations include potential difficulty in accessing rural healthcare facilities and variability in the availability of resources across different regions.
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