Initiators, Timing, and Stated Reasons for Euthanasia Requests Among Patients with Life-Limiting Illnesses in Nigeria

Author(s):Agoro Oviemova Nathan, Eberendu Izuchukwu Francis, Obasi kalu Obasi

Received: 2026-08-06 Accepted: 2026-09-03 Published: 2026-09-15

Abstract

There is scant empirical research on the expression of requests for euthanasia when faced with a critical disease in Nigeria. This study described who made such requests, at what point in the illness trajectory they happened and the main reasons provided for making the requests. This descriptive analysis was based on a facility-based analytical cross-sectional survey of 2,500 persons with life-limiting or advanced chronic illnesses getting care in specified healthcare settings in Nigeria. Patterns were examined among 949 participants who satisfied the composite definition of having made a euthanasia-related request in the parent research. Data were obtained using a standardised interviewer delivered questionnaire . Data were summarised using frequencies, percentages and 95% Wilson confidence intervals. Initiation of euthanasia requests was by patients alone in 54.2% of the cases, by family members alone in 32.0%, and jointly by patients and family members in 13.8%. Requests were most common at the terminal period of disease (48.5%), followed by mid-illness (35.8%) and diagnosis (15.7%). The most common reasons cited were terrible physical pain (32.1%), poor quality of life/loss of dignity (27.9%), financial burden on the family (18.0%), mental exhaustion/depression (11.4%), and fear of future suffering (10.5%).Euthanasia requests in this clinical sample were mostly patient-initiated and most often occurred in the mid-to-terminal phases of disease. The most commonly cited reasons were unbearable pain, poor quality of life or loss of dignity, and financial strain. Such requests should trigger immediate explanation of the patient's concerns, full assessment of physical and mental health symptoms, consideration of palliative care needs, and adequate precautions against family pressure, financial coercion, and other potentially modifiable sources of distress.

Keywords: euthanasia-related request; desire for hastened death; end-of-life care; pain; dignity; financial burden; Nigeria

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22768280

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