Pediatric palliative care in sub-saharan Africa: a systematic review of the evidence for care models, interventions, and outcomes

Abstract

Context: The progressive disease burden among children in sub-Saharan Africa means the provision of palliative care is essential and should be provided alongside treatment where it is available.

Objectives: To systematically review the evidence for pediatric palliative care models, interventions, and outcomes to appraise the state of the science and inform best practice.

Methods: A systematic review search strategy was implemented in eight electronic databases, the search results reported using a PRISMA statement, and findings tabulated.

Results: In terms of evidence of palliative care provision and outcomes, only five articles were identified. These represent a small range of acute, community, and hospice care and offer some limited guidance on the development and delivery of services.

Conclusion: Pediatric palliative care is a pressing clinical and public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Explicit evidence-based models of service development, patient assessment, and evidence for control of prevalent problems (physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and developmental) are urgently needed. Greater research activity is urgently required to ensure an evidence-based response to the enormous need for pediatric palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords: Africa; HIV; Pediatric; cancer; palliative.