Knowledge and practice of end-of-life care among nurses in a teaching hospital in Nigeria

Background: Improving end-of-life care (EoLC) has become a major goal among nurses since they have the most contact with patients and their families at this phase of life. This study examined the knowledge and practice of EoLC among nurses working at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, in Enugu. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive research study was used. A total of 130 nurses, working in selected wards of the hospital, took part in the study, meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire, analysed using descriptive statistics and results were presented in tables and charts. Results: The results showed that 123 respondents (94.6%) had knowledge of EoLC as care given to terminal state of life and or a dying person. Findings also showed the practice of EoLC with a mean score of 3.6 +/- 2.8 and inadequate manpower and lack of experience with the mean 2.9 +/- 1.6 and 2.9 +/- 1.5 respectively, as factors negatively influenced their practice of EoLC. Conclusions: It was recommended that workshop or seminar and advocacy on EoLC should be organised to create awareness and raise the practice of EoLC.