Browsing by Author "Appiah, B."
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Item The Association between Diabetes-Related Distress and Medication Adherence in Adult Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study(Journal of Diabetes Research, 2020-03-02) Kretchy, I.A.; Koduah, A.; Ohene-Agyei, T.; Boima, V.; Appiah, B.Background. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health problem associated with distress. T2DM can affect health outcomes and adherence to medications. Little is however known about the association between diabetes distress and medication adherence among patients with T2DM in Ghana. Objective. The objective of the present study is twofold: to estimate distress associated with T2DM and to examine its association with medication adherence. Methods. A hospital-based crosssectional study was conducted among 188 patients with T2DM recruited from a diabetes specialist outpatient clinic at the Pantang Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Data were obtained using the Problem Areas In Diabetes (PAID) scale and the Medication Adherence Report Scale. Results. The findings showed that about 44.7% of the patients showed high levels of diabetes-related distress. Poor adherence to medications was recorded in 66.5% of the patients. Patients who were highly distressed had 68% lower odds of adhering to their medications compared to those who were not (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15-0.65). A principal component analysis revealed four areas of T2DM distress which were conceptualized as negative emotions about diabetes, dietary concerns and diabetes care, dissatisfaction with external support, and diabetes management helplessness. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that diabetes distress is a significant determinant of medication adherence behaviour in patients with T2DM. Thus, incorporating routine screening for distress into the standard diabetes care within the Ghanaian health system and having health practitioners adopt holistic approaches to diabetes management will be important context-specific interventions to improve adherence and health outcomes of people living and coping with T2DM.Item Consumer reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions: modelling the acceptance of mobile phone caller tunes to raise awareness(Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, 2019-10-14) Kretchy, I.A.; Appiah, B.; Yoshikawa, A.; Asamoah-Akuoko, L.; Anum, D.A.; Samman, E.; Goulart, A.; Nwokike, J.; Dodoo, A.N.O.; Darko, D.M.; Rene, A.Objectives Our main aim was to identify the factors that may influence consumers’ acceptance of mobile phone caller tunes to increase awareness of consumer reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Mobile phone caller tunes — the songs or messages callers hear — are popular in Africa and Asia but have not been used to aid reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). We also aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of a survey instrument adapted for caller tunes and ADRs. Methods A cross-sectional survey based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) was conducted among 486 non-ADR-themed caller tune users and 470 mobile phone users with no caller tunes in Accra, Ghana. Participants were purposively recruited from voluntary blood donation sites. After testing the validity and reliability of TAM constructs, a structural equation modelling approach was used to evaluate the factors that could influence the acceptance of caller tunes for increasing awareness of consumer reporting of ADRs. Key findings Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use had significant positive effects on consumers’ acceptance of caller tunes for increasing awareness of consumer reporting of ADRs. However, whereas free of cost had significant positive effects on the acceptance of caller tunes among those with non-ADR-themed caller tunes (b = 0.15, P = 0.006), it was not so for those lacking caller tunes (b = 0.05, P = 0.229). The survey instrument met acceptable validity and reliability criteria. Conclusions Our findings show that consumers would generally accept caller tunes on ADRs — if created — to aid consumer reporting of suspected ADRs, but there are research and practice considerations.Item Determinants of intention to use mobile phone caller tunes to promote voluntary blood donation: Cross-sectional study(Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2018-05) Appiah, B.; Burdine, J.N.; Aftab, A.; Asamoah-Akuoko, L.; Anum, D.A.; Kretchy, I.A.; Samman, E.W.; Appiah, P.B.; Bates, I.Background: Voluntary blood donation rates are low in sub-Saharan Africa. Sociobehavioral factors such as a belief that donated blood would be used for performing rituals deter people from donating blood. There is a need for culturally appropriate communication interventions to encourage individuals to donate blood. Health care interventions that use mobile phones have increased in developing countries, although many of them focus on SMS text messaging (short message service, SMS). A unique feature of mobile phones that has so far not been used for aiding blood donation is caller tunes. Caller tunes replace the ringing sound heard by a caller to a mobile phone before the called party answers the call. In African countries such as Ghana, instead of the typical ringing sound, a caller may hear a message or song. Despite the popularity of such caller tunes, there is a lack of empirical studies on their potential use for promoting blood donation. Objective: The aim of this study was to use the technology acceptance model to explore the influence of the factors-perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, and free of cost-on intentions of blood or nonblood donors to download blood donation-themed caller tunes to promote blood donation, if available. Methods: A total of 478 blood donors and 477 nonblood donors were purposively sampled for an interviewer-administered questionnaire survey at blood donation sites in Accra, Ghana. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factory analysis or structural equation modeling, leading to hypothesis testing to examine factors that determine intention to use caller tunes for blood donation among blood or nonblood donors who use or do not use mobile phone caller tunes. Results: Perceived usefulness had a significant effect on intention to use caller tunes among blood donors with caller tunes (beta=.293, P<.001), blood donors without caller tunes (beta=.165, P=.02, nonblood donors with caller tunes (beta=.278, P<.001), and nonblood donors without caller tunes (beta=.164, P=.01). Attitudes had significant effect on intention to use caller tunes among blood donors without caller tunes (beta=.351, P<.001), nonblood donors with caller tunes (beta=.384, P<.001), nonblood donors without caller tunes (beta=.539, P<.001) but not among blood donors with caller tunes (beta=.056, P=.44). The effect of free-of-cost caller tunes on the intention to use for blood donation was statistically significant (beta=.169, P<.001) only in the case of nonblood donors without caller tunes, whereas this path was statistically not significant in other models. Conclusions: Our results provide empirical evidence for designing caller tunes to promote blood donation in Ghana. The study found that making caller tunes free is particularly relevant for nonblood donors with no caller tunes. © Bernard Appiah, James N Burdine, Ammar Aftab, Lucy Asamoah-Akuoko, David A Anum, Irene A Kretchy, Elfreda W Samman, Patience B Appiah, Imelda Bates.Item Factors that influence the intention to use mobile phone caller tunes for patient reporting of adverse drug reactions: a qualitative study(Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, 2019-09-14) Kretchy, I.A.; Appiah, B.; Poudyal, A.; Burdine, J.N.; Asamoah-Akuoko, L.; Anum, D.A.; Sabblah, G.; Dodoo, A.N.A.; McKyer, E.L.J.Background: Patient reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is low in low- and middleincome countries, in part because of poor awareness to report. With the increase in mobile subscription, mobile phones can be used as a platform to disseminate information on ADRs. The aim of this study was to qualitatively assess the potential of using mobile phone caller tunes (the message or sound the caller hears before the receiver answers the call) to encourage patient reporting of ADRs. Methods: A total of 38 key informant interviews and 12 focus group discussions (57 participants in groups of 4–5) were conducted in Accra, Ghana. The transcripts were analysed using key constructs of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) including perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioural intention to use caller tunes for patient reporting of ADRs. Results: Respondents mentioned lack of knowledge on reporting ADRs, and their willingness to use mobile phone caller tunes to promote patient reporting of ADRs. Many respondents pointed out how ADRs usually led to discontinuity in medication use, usually without consultation with health professionals. Caller tunes were regarded an innovative, accessible and convenient platform to disseminate information on ADRs. Most respondents intended to use caller tunes with drug safety information to promote ADR reporting, particularly to help their friends and family members. Simplicity of the message, use of songs or messages in local languages and price of downloading the caller tunes were important considerations. Conclusion: There is a need for the creation and testing of caller tunes on ADRs in Ghana to promote patient or consumer reporting of ADRs. Further studies are needed to assess factors that could influence the creation and use of caller tunes to disseminate information on drug safetyItem The impact of antimicrobial resistance awareness interventions involving schoolchildren, development of an animation and parents engagements: a pilot study(Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, 2022) Appiah, B.; Asamoah‑Akuoko, L.; Samman, E.; Koduah, A.; Kretchy, I.A.; Ludu, J.Y.; Odonkor, G.; Nam, S.H.; Gyansa‑Luterrodt, M.Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where antibiotics are widely available to consumers, leading to their misuse. However, AMR educational interventions for engaging parents of schoolchildren are mainly lacking in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the potential of AMR animation and schoolchildren in influencing parents’ AMR knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Methods: Parents of schoolchildren aged 11–15 years in Tema, a city in Ghana, watched and discussed an AMR animation designed with ideas from the schoolchildren’s top stories and picture drawings. The children from two schools were first engaged with AMR lessons, with one school using storytelling, the other school using picture drawing, and none serving as a control. The children were then asked to discuss the lessons with their parents. Baseline surveys of parents of randomly selected children were conducted to assess AMR knowledge, attitudes and beliefs before engaging the students and parents, and immediately after the parents participated in viewing and discussing the animation. McNemar and t-tests were used to assess changes in AMR knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. Results: Parents who participated in the animation event, and whose schoolchildren were in the storytelling intervention school had significantly improved knowledge regarding the statement “Antibiotics will cure any infection” (p=0.021, χ2=0.711; 88% vs 50%) between baseline and endline. However, these parents also had statistically significant decreased scores regarding the statement “Antibiotics do not kill our good bacteria” (p=0.021, χ2=1.042; 71.4% vs 40%) between baseline and endline. There was no significant effect on any statement among parents whose children were in the picture drawing school. However, t-test results combining the statements as composite scores showed statistically significant difference in only the attitude construct among parents whose children participated in storytelling intervention (p=0.043) or picture drawing intervention (p=0.019). There were no statistically significant changes in knowledge and beliefs constructs. Conclusions: This study shows that interventions involving schoolchildren with parents engagements and AMR animation could influence parents’ AMR attitudes. The intervention could also positively or negatively impact parents’ AMR knowledge. Modifications of the interventions may be needed for tackling AMR.Item Indigenous Christian Missions in the Brong Ahafo Region: A Case Study of the Temple of Praise Church (1988-2013)(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Appiah, B.; Omenyo, C.N.; Ossom-Batsa, G.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, School of Arts, Department of ReligionsThe Temple of Praise Church is an indigenous Neo-Pentecostal church whose mode of operation slightly differs from both the Historic and Classical Pentecostal churches. It is one of the churches founded by indigenous Africans in 1988, and it is among the first Neo-Pentecostal churches to be established in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The Temple of Praise church, Bethel Prayer Ministry, The Apostle Continuation Church and others which are not mentioned here are categorized as indigenous churches because they were founded by the indigenes. These churches are very widespread in the Brong Ahafo Region. This study sought to investigate the factors that have contributed to the growth of Temple of Praise Church. It aimed at reconstructing a historical development of Christianity in the Brong Ahafo Region. The focus of the study was on Temple of Praise Church, which believes and maintains that sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the unreached, which is the core mandate of the Church. The researcher employed the phenomenological and historical methods focusing on the nexus between events, features, practical methods, movements and personalities. Furthermore, the study employed the qualitative method of gathering data. Questionnaire and structured questions were used in tandem with face to face interviews, focus group interviews, and participant observation. The study revealed that the Temple of Praise Church has experienced significant growth due to the fact that, the principle of outreach programmes has been their priority. Virtually the entire church including the clergy and the laity have committed themselves to the sharing of the gospel message with the unreached. Furthermore, the bond of unity and sense of belongingness especially among the founders have served as a platform for the growth. The thesis has theological relevance since the operations of the Church are rooted in the Christian religion. The study in addition brought to light the new dimension of indigenous Churches with particular reference to efforts being made to propagate the gospel message. Such strenuous efforts to spread the gospel appear to be lacking among most the churches in our contemporary times. The study also introduced a new typology into the Christian missions in Brong Ahafo Region and serves as a background study on new trends in African Initiated Churches in Ghana.Item Psycho-behavioural factors associated with medication adherence among male outpatients with hypertension in a Ghanaian hospital(Plos One, 2020-01-29) Kretchy, I.A.; Boima, V.; Agyabeng, K.; Koduah, A.; Appiah, B.Medication adherence is a key health outcome that reflects the health and general wellbeing of patients with hypertension. Challenges with adherence are common and associated with clinical, behavioural and psychosocial factors. This study sought to provide data on the extent of medication adherence among male patients with hypertension and their biopsychosocial predictors. Patient and clinical characteristics, psychological distress, insomnia and sexual dysfunction were hypothesized to predict outcomes of medication adherence. Utilizing quantitative data from a hospital-based cross-sectional study from 358 male out-patients with hypertension attending a tertiary hospital in Ghana, medication adherence was associated with age, marital status, educational level, income, duration of diagnosis, number of medications taken and sexual dysfunction. These findings support the need for biopsychosocial interventions aiming at promoting adherence while taking these factors into consideration for the benefit of improving the health and general well-being of male patients with hypertension.Item Psychological burden and caregiver-reported non-adherence to psychotropic medications among patients with schizophrenia(Psychiatry Research, 2018-01) Kretchy, I.A.; Osafo, J.; Agyemang, S.A.; Appiah, B.; Nonvignon, J.The study examined the association between psychological distress, caregiving burden and caregiver-reported medication adherence in 444 informal family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Participants were assessed on the Depression, Anxiety Stress Scale, Zarit Burden Interview and the Medication Adherence Report Scale. Caregivers reported a non-adherence rate of 54.5% among patients with schizophrenia. Poor adherence to antipsychotics was significantly associated with caregiver burden (p < 0.01) and experience of anxiety (p < 0.0001). The burden of caregiving should be considered during the assessment of adherence. The findings suggest a need for culturally appropriate interventions that improve antipsychotic adherence of outpatients with schizophrenia with specific attention to the burden of the caregiver.Item Psychotropic medicine beliefs, side efects and adherence in schizophrenia: a patient–caregiver dyad perspective(International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 2021) Kretchy, I.A.; Appiah, B.; Agyabeng, K.; Kwarteng, E.M.; Ganyaglo, E.; Aboagye, G.O.Background Medication adherence is essential in the management of schizophrenia. Yet poor treatment uptake has nega tive consequences on patients and their primary caregivers. Objective To examine the association among beliefs about psychotropic medications, side efects and adherence from a patient-caregiver dyad perspective. Setting This study was conducted in a public psychiatric hospital setting in Accra, Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 121 patient-caregiver dyads using an interviewer-administered data collection approach.Main outcome measure Beliefs about medicines, side-efects and medication adherence. Results The patient and caregiver-reported level of medication adherence was 28.1%. Using the Kappa index, the level of agreement between the responses of patients and their caregivers ranged from slight to moderate. Both patients and caregivers rated necessity higher than concern (patients: 1.67±0.84, caregiver: 1.79±0.96). Signifcant positive relations between specifc-necessity, necessity–concerns diferential and medication adher ence were recorded while specifc–concern, general harm and side-efects correlated negatively with medication adherence from the dyad. The odds of adhering to medications increased by 58 and 64% for each unit increase in specifc-necessity and general overuse scores respectively. However, a unit increase in specifc–concern score and high side-efects scores were associated with lower odds of adherence. Conclusions This study highlights the need for patient-caregiver collaborations in decision-making relating to medication adherence in schizophrenia. Thus, in clinical practice, there is the need to recognize that caregivers are essential partners, and patient-caregiver views about psychotropic medications are critical in enhancing adherence for positive mental health outcomes.