Imagine having cancer in a place where the care you need to manage pain, nausea, and other difficult symptoms is hard to find. That's the reality for many patients in Ethiopia. A review of nine studies, involving nearly 3,000 people, found that only about 42% of cancer patients receive what's called palliative care—specialized medical care focused on relieving suffering and improving quality of life. This low rate points to a major gap in support. The review also identified who is more likely to get this care. Men were significantly more likely to receive it than women. Patients with higher levels of education were also more likely to access these services. The conclusion is clear: palliative care use in Ethiopia is insufficient, reflecting deep inequities. The authors state that expanding access will require bringing services to rural communities, training more healthcare workers, and raising awareness among patients and families. Without these changes, a large portion of people with cancer will continue to face their illness without the relief they deserve.
In Ethiopia, less than half of cancer patients get the care they need to manage pain and symptoms.
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What this means for you:
In Ethiopia, systemic inequities mean most cancer patients lack access to crucial symptom-relieving care. What this means for you:
In Ethiopia, systemic inequities mean most cancer patients lack access to crucial symptom-relieving care. View Original Abstract ↓
INTRODUCTION: Palliative care is vital for cancer management in low- and middle-income countries like Ethiopia, but underutilization leads to unmanaged symptoms and reduced patient quality of life, and fragmented studies hinder evidence-based planning and policy development. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to synthesize existing literature to estimate the utilization rate of Palliative care among cancer patients in Ethiopia and to identify key influencing factors.
REVIEW METHOD AND DATA SOURCES: This study employed a systematic review and meta-analysis design to assess Palliative care utilization and its influencing factors among cancer patients in Ethiopia, sourcing evidence from various electronic databases until April 07, and studies published between 2015 and 2024 were included. The data was extracted from June 10-20 and analyzed from June 21-30, with report generation till July 27, 2025, using R software. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model, with forest plots illustrating pooled prevalence and associated factors. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and study quality was evaluated by using a validated tool, the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist.
RESULTS: A total of nine cross-sectional studies involving 2,839 cancer patients were included. The pooled Palliative care utilization rate was 42% (95% CI: 30%-54%). Educational attainment (pooled AOR = 2.57; 95% CI: 1.42-3.75) and male gender (pooled AOR = 5.58; 95% CI: 3.01-10.33) were factors significantly associated with Palliative care utilization.
CONCLUSION: This review showed the Palliative care utilization rate was 42%. Palliative care utilization in Ethiopia remains insufficient, reflecting systemic, socioeconomic, and geographic inequities. Expanding access will require decentralization of services to reach rural communities, integration of Palliative care into primary healthcare, investment in workforce capacity, and improved patient and family awareness. Strengthening these areas is essential to ensure equitable, patient-centered, and sustainable Palliative care delivery in Ethiopia.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD420251027739.