Assessment of Knowledge on Palliative Care among Student Nurses in Selected Nursing Schools, Mathura Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Introduction: Palliative care is one of the most integral part of health care system which offers a support system to help the patients live peacefully until his last breath. India is categorized as a developing country; however, over the past 20 years, increases in the aging population and prevalence of advanced cancer are common. Together with China, the country has the second largest population in the world. It is estimated that one million new cases of cancer occur each year in India, with over 80% presenting at stage III and IV. The need of palliative care in India is immense. Assessing the knowledge regarding the palliative care can help us to understand the neglected area of concern and can enhance the student nurses to be competent while providing the care to the needy. Objectives: The aim of the study were to assess the knowledge regarding palliative care among student nurses and to find the association between the knowledge and with their socio-demographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: A quantitative research approach with descriptive survey design was selected for the study. The non-probability convenient sampling technique was used to select 50 student nurses selected college of Mathura Uttar Pradesh. A valid and reliable structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge among student nurses, were used to collect data in 1 week. A significant association was found between the knowledge score and with nursing course, age, gender and source of information as selected socio demographic variables. Maximum (68%) of student nurses had adequate knowledge score and (32%) were having inadequate knowledge. Due attention should be given towards palliative care by all the health care institutions and is needed to be incorporated in the curriculum of nurse education so that students should be made aware and they can practice in health care setting.