Abstract:
This study explored and described the Primary Health Care experiences of Community Health Nurses (CHNs) in Nkoranza South in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Four themes served as a guide to investigate the experiences: the factors that serve as hindrances to Primary Health Care delivery, the factors that facilitate Primary Health Care delivery, the methods CHNs use in ensuring optimum Primary Health Care delivery and ways CHNs create rapport with clients in communities. The design of the study was an explorative qualitative one using CHNs in the villages of Nkoranza South. The sample size depended on saturation and was attained on the 16th participant. In-depth interview with the sixteen (16) CHNs, averaging a time of forty-five minutes and using unstructured interview guide enabled qualitative data to be gathered. The data analysis was based on (Teshch 1990) in (Cohen et,al., 2007) content analysis approach. Several findings emerged under the four themes: (1) the factors that facilitate work were put under four subcategories as (a) empowerment of workers, (b) infrastructural development, (c) empowerment of community members and (d) good rapport and community support; (2) hindrances factors to service delivery included inadequate logistics, lack of infrastructure, human resource challenges and community activity related challenges and behavior; (3) ways CHNs deliver health care to reach maximum coverage were categorized into five: (a) use of community visitation and surveillance, (b) use of health education, (c) use of health outreaches, (d) use of community volunteers and (e) referral and finally; (4) ways in which CHNs ensure rapport creation had five sub categories emerging as (a) creating good receptive atmosphere, (b) the use of community resources, (c) home visiting, (d) professional work ethics and (e) provision of health information. It was recommended that CHNs be offered opportunities for further training; general health education on CHN job is essential, infrastructure and logistics should be improved, electricity should be extended to all health facilities of among others.
