Kontakt X:X | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2026.060

Gender-specific differences in factors influencing attitude towards end-of-life care: a cross-sectional study among primary healthcare nursesNursing - Original article

Muhamad Zulfatul A'la ORCID...1, *, Farin Eka Meilinda1, Kushariyadi1, Ika Adelia Susanti ORCID...1, Farida Nur Qomariyah ORCID...1, Rondhianto ORCID...1, Yuwadee Wittayapun ORCID...2
1 Universitas Jember, Faculty of Nursing, Jember, Indonesia
2 Walailak University, School of Allied Health Sciences, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

Background: Primary healthcare (PHC) nurses play a crucial role in delivering end-of-life care (EOLC). Exploring PHC nurses' attitudes towards EOLC based on gender is essential. This study aimed to examine attitudes toward EOLC through a gender-specific analysis among PHC nurses.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among PHC nurses in Jember, Indonesia. The sample size yielded 114 respondents. 45 male and 69 female PHC nurses were selected through simple random sampling. A demographic questionnaire and the Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying Care Form B were utilized. Data analysis employed the Pearson correlation test, the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and linear regression.

Results: Across the entire PHC nurse sample, experience caring for end-of-life patients and experience attending EOLC training were significantly positive associated with attitudes toward EOLC (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). In gender-specific analyses, experience attending EOLC training was the primary factor associated with more positive attitudes among male nurses (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, among female nurses, experience caring for the end-of-life patients was significantly associated with more positive attitudes toward EOLC (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The gender-based analysis reveals substantial differences, underscoring the importance of gender-specific analysis in EOLC attitudes among PHC nurses. Distinct factors influence EOLC attitudes in male and female nurses. Further research is essential to develop gender-specific interventions to improve attitudes toward EOLC among PHC nurses.

Keywords: Attitude toward end-of-life care; FATCOD-B; Gender; Nurse; Primary healthcare
Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: February 24, 2026; Revised: June 1, 2026; Accepted: October 6, 2026; Prepublished online: October 7, 2026 

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