What do we know about palliative support for women with chronic diseases in Benin? For an African model of palliative and end-of-life care

Abstract

Background: In Benin, medical pluralism is omnipresent. This study analysed the therapeutic process of women with cancers, admitted to palliative or end-of-life care in Benin. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with three caregivers from the CNHU-HKM palliative care unit; the study was part of a retrospective project examining the records of 299 patients admitted to the PCU between 2015 and 2021 and a participant observation. SPPS® was used for a descriptive analysis of file data. Those from the interviews and observation were subjected to thematic and content analysis. Results: Upon admission to the PCU, 43.81% wanted healing and 13.38% wanted to seek complementary care (prayer therapy, herbal medicine). According to caregivers, patients do not fully adhere to the care provided to them. This could be due to the unaffordable cost of care and hospitalization, the shortage of care inputs and materials, perceptions about cancer and especially the failure to take into account the spiritual and cultural specificities of patients and families. Conclusions: This study provided a basis for improving palliative support in the context of medical pluralism and precariousness. Palliative care in the community or at home is imposed on the traditional health care system with the integration of a combination of biomedicine care, so-called non-conventional medicine and the knowledge and expertise of community members.