Factors Influencing Progressive Utilization of Palliative Care Services among Cancer Patients in Kenya: The Case of Nairobi Hospice

Caroline Wambui Kimani, Urbanus Mutuku Kioko, Catherine Ndinda () and Pauline Wambui Adebayo
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Caroline Wambui Kimani: School of Economics, Population and Development Studies, University of Nairobi, Nairobi Campus, Nairobi, Kenya
Urbanus Mutuku Kioko: School of Economics, Population and Development Studies, University of Nairobi, Nairobi Campus, Nairobi, Kenya
Catherine Ndinda: Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Pauline Wambui Adebayo: School of Built Environment & Development Studies, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 19, 1-10

Abstract: The rising cases of non-communicable diseases, specifically cancer, have led to the integration of palliative care in their management. However, only 10% of cancer patients have access to palliative care. Healthcare utilization is an important step in disease management as it aids individuals in accessing opportunities for the prevention and treatment of diseases. The study applied the binary probit model to estimate the progressive utilization of palliative care services by cancer patients. The aim of the study was to determine factors influencing the progressive utilization of palliative care by cancer patients. A cross-sectional data survey was conducted for 169 cancer patients seeking palliative care at the Nairobi Hospice in 2013. For each patient, the predisposing, enabling, and need (PEN) factors were analyzed as key criteria for applying progressive utilization of palliative care at the Nairobi Hospice as compared to those residing in other counties in the study. Descriptive statistics showed that 27% of patients studied resided in Nairobi County, where 61% were female, 62% were married, 35% had primary education, 44% were self-employed, and 59% had medical insurance. Probit regression and marginal effects showed that employment and religion were significant in determining the progressive utilization of palliative care. Employment status and religion are consequently the main factors that both governments and health-focused non-governmental organizations need to consider increasing the probability of progressively utilizing palliative care to improve the quality of life of cancer patients.

Keywords: progressive utilization; palliative care; cancer patients (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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