Browsing by Author "Korsah, K.A."
Now showing 1 - 13 of 13
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Are we doing enough in Diabetes Care? Lessons from a Hermeneutic Phenomenological Investigation(2018-10-30) Korsah, K.A.; Mensah, D.Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with hyperglycaemia as a result of disturbances linked with carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism owing to malfunctioning of the pancreas, with particular reference to insulin production or secretion, action or both. In Africa and Ghana in particular, it appears that diabetes mellitus is viewed as more than a biomedical disorder as patients hold certain health and illness beliefs and perceptions around the condition apart from what is known about the scientific causes and treatments of the disorder. There are explicit scientific treatments or protocols for diabetes which chiefly centre on medications, diet, exercise, monitoring of blood glucose and education. These basic medical guidelines are important to improve glycemic control of the affected persons to prevent complications associated with the disorder. It has been observed that aside the rudimentary medical care and practices that are offered to diabetes patients, their health and illness beliefs and perceptions need to be considered in the care of persons living with diabetes mellitus in Ghana. There is the need to focus attention on patients’ health and illness perceptions in diabetes care around (a) traditional beliefs regarding the origins of diabetes mellitus (b) social connotations ascribed to diabetes mellitus (c) patients’ responses/reactions to diagnosis of diabetes and resolution and (d) patients’ perceptions/concepts of seeking cure for diabetes mellitus and other issues. These may offer healthcare providers a better understanding of how to manage diabetes patients holistically in the Ghanaian context. Thus, the biomedical care approach may not single-handedly successfully manage this protracted condition in Ghana. However through the inclusion of an understanding of their health and illness beliefs and perceptions, the healthcare providers may recognize the unique life issues of Ghanaian diabetes patients, and how to offer them the needed support and care in an appropriate socio-cultural sensitive manner.Item Development of nurse education in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Ghana: From undergraduate to doctoral programmes(Nurse Education in Practice, 2020) Anthony, D.; Alosaimi, D.; Dyson, S.; Korsah, K.A.; Saleh, M.Doctoral programmes in nursing have a long history in the US where traditional research based PhDs and more clinically based doctoral programmes are common. In the rest of the world PhDs are better accepted though professional doctorates with a thesis component are common in the UK. In countries with newly established or planned doctoral programmes in nursing the research PhD seems the degree of choice. Here we discuss developments in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Ghana. This study used official documents, strategic plans, curriculum developments and other documentary evidence from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Ghana. We compared doctoral programmes and development with other countries by reference to the literature. We offer the example of public health and non-communicable diseases in particular as one area where doctorally trained nurses applying international standards in collaboration internationally may be of benefit.Item Does the gender of nurses matter to patients? A qualitative analysis of gender preferences of patients(SAGE Open Medicine, 2023) Asante, A.O.; Korsah, K.A.; Amoako, C.Background: This study argues that the gender of a nurse could give patients the emotional and psychological support they need in their healing process. Nonetheless, in many developing countries, these intricate preferences of patients are usually ignored due to poor staffing and logistical capacities of health facilities. As a contribution to this professional and operation gap, this paper explores patients’ preference for nurses’ gender in health care at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. The paper further explores the importance of these preferences to the delivery of patient-centred care in Ghana and across Africa. Objective: The paper has two specific objectives: (a) to explore patients’ preferences for the gender of nurses who attend to them while on admission; and (b) to find out the range of factors that inform these preferences. Methods: Qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used to select adult patients who were not seriously ill and nursed by male and female nurses at the medical and surgical wards of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana for at least 5days from January to March 2017 and before their discharge. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling technique. A semi-structured interview guide was used to elicit information from 14 participants after seeking their written informed consent. The data were analysed using content analysis. Results: Two major themes emerged. These were: the Preferred Gender of a Nurse in Nursing Care and the Reasons for the Preference or no Preference for Nurses’ Gender in Nursing Care. Under each of these themes, the associated aspects were also discussed. Patients had varying preference for a particular nurse during care but gender was not particularly significant in patients’ preference for nurses. Majority of the participants emphasized their preference for nurses with professional expertise and good virtues to determine a preferred nurse and both genders of nurses can possess these qualities. However, nurses of the same gender as the patient were preferred for intimate procedures to ensure privacy and satisfaction. Conclusion: The gender of a nurse is not on top of the preferences list of patients in the study context. This may be attributed to the long-term practice that the participants have not had the chance to be choosing a preferred nurse’s gender, so most patients are tolerant and familiar with both male and female nurses. Instead, patients’ preferences are determined by the performance and quality of service provided by nurses. Age, maturity and social connections were also found to influence patients’ preferences.Item Exploring factors having an impact on attitudes and motivations towards volunteering in the undergraduate nursing student population − A comparative study of the UK and Ghana(Nurse Education in Practice, 2021) Dyson, S.E.; Korsah, K.A.; Liu, L.Q.; O’Driscoll, M.; van den Akker, O.B.A.This study explores attitudes and motivations towards volunteering in nursing students in Ghana compared with nursing students in the United Kingdom (UK). Ghana traditionally follows a western model of nurse education, with students studying programmes commensurate in theory and practice, making Ghana a suitable location for a comparative study. We explored similarities and differences in attitudes and motivation towards volunteering to challenge and inform our common place practice towards nursing pedagogy. Ghanaian students displayed positive attitudes towards volunteering, although these did not translate into increased motivation to volunteer while at university. Students reported financial constraints as reasons for not volunteering as did UK students, although Ghanaian students used available resources for daily living expenses, whereas UK students prioritised available resources to pay down student debt. Structured volunteering was absent from both Ghanaian and UK nursing programmes, despite its potential to increase the variety of social groups or situations to which students are exposed, to increase self-confidence and to encourage greater reflection on practice through doing. Structural challenges within countries may provide a better explanation of variation in student motivation towards vol unteering, than cross-cultural variation in attitudes towards volunteering between countries.Item Factors that influence the clinical utilization of the nursing process at a hospital in Accra, Ghana(BMC Nursing, 2017) Agyeman-Yeboah, J.; Korsah, K.A.; Okrah, J.Background: The nursing process is a tool that is recommended for use by all professional nurses working in Ghana, in order to provide nursing care. However, there is currently a limited use of this tool by nurses in Ghana. The purpose of this research study was to explore the various factors that influence the utilization of this nursing process. Method: An exploratory descriptive qualitative-research design was employed. Ten participants were involved by using the purposive sampling method. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect the data from the research participants; and the data were analysed by using content analysis. One main theme, with five subthemes, emerged from the analysis. Results: It was found that there are factors, such as nurses not having a better understanding of the nursing process, whilst in school; the absence of the care plan in the ward, as well as the lack of adequate staff, with limited time being available for coping with contributed to the non-usage of the nursing process. Conclusions: We conclude that the clinical utilization of the Nursing process at the clinical setting is influenced by lack of understanding of Nurses on the Nursing process and care plan as well as lack of adequate nurses and time. We recommend that the care-plan form be made officially a part of the admission documents. Furthermore, the nursing administration should put measures in place to provide nurses with the needed resources to implement the nursing process. Additionally, they should ensure that the care-plan forms and other resources needed by the nurses are regularly and adequately provided. Nurses should further see the nursing process as a means of providing comprehensive care to their patients and addressing their specific problems. They should therefore make time despite their busy schedules to use it in order to improve quality of care and the image of nursing in Ghana. © 2017 The Author(s).Item Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 1958(Government Printing Department -Gold Coast, 1958-09-11) Korsah, K.A.Be It Enacted By the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, By And With the Advice and Consent of the National Assembly Of Ghana in This Present Parliament Assembled, And By The AuthorityItem Non-application of the nursing process at a hospital in Accra, Ghana: lessons from descriptive research(BMC Nursing, 2018-11) Agyeman-Yeboah, J.; Korsah, K.A.Background Registered nurses in Ghana are trained to plan the care that they provide to their patients in a systematic and organized manner. This scientific approach to care is known as the nursing process. There is evidence that the nursing process is not being practised by professional nurses in Ghana, as expected. This research seeks to explore what informs nursing interventions in the clinical area. Methods A qualitative study was conducted with ten registered nurses; and this was descriptive in nature. One-on-one interviews were conducted with the research participants, as a means of collecting the data. A semi-structured interview guide was used as the data-collecting tool. The collected data were analysed by using latent-content analysis. Three main themes emerged from the data analysis. Results It was found that registered nurses did not plan their nursing care. The care that the nurses provided was based on routine nursing care and doctors’ orders, both verbal and non-verbal; or written communication were the means whereby the care was provided; and that was communicated among the nurses. Conclusion Registered nurses are taught the nursing process; and they are expected to implement the acquired knowledge in the clinical area. The failure of nurses to practise the expected standard of care results in their relying on the decision of other health-care professionals, such as doctors. This makes registered nurses appear to be assistants to doctors. We, therefore, conclude that nurse leaders must supervise nurses to put into practice what they were taught during their training; so that they can have professional autonomy in their practice as nurses. It is also suggested that nurses must show evidence of using the nursing process in their daily work by the use of the nursing care-plan form.Item Patient perspective on barriers in type 2 diabetes self management: A qualitative study(Nursing Open, 2023) Tuobenyiere, J.; Mensah, G.P.; Korsah, K.A.Aim: To explore the perceived barriers in Type 2 Diabetes care among patients with diabetes. Design The study adopted a qualitative exploratory-descriptive design. Methods: A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from fifteen (15) purposively sampled patients with Type 2 Diabetes at a primary level health fa cility in the Bono East region. Participants' ages ranged between 42–72 years. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: Patients with Type 2 Diabetes encountered a range of barriers in diabetes care. These barriers included lack of knowledge of diabetes dietary management strategies, financial constraints, non-compliance to treatment, lack of glucometers, lack of social support, and increased waiting time at health care facilities. The findings indicate that more education on diabetes and dietary management is required as well as social support from peers, family, and non-governmental organizations. Patient or public contribution: Diabetes self-management barriers as revealed by the patients who were participants of this study requires nurses and midwives to ensure that self-management education is well understood by patients and their relatives. This would empower the patients and bring clarity to their confusion about self-care practicesItem Perception of nurses on the use of mobile phone text messaging for the management of diabetes mellitus in rural Ghana(Nursing Open, 2023) Korsah, K.A.; Abdulai, E.; Dzansi, G.; Gamor, N.Aim: This study aims to explore the perception of nurses on the use of mobile phone SMS for managing diabetes in rural Ghana. Design: Exploratory Descriptive Qualitative Design. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit (13) participants relative to data saturation after ethical clearance (REDACTED); using a semi-structured interview guide. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: Participants believe SMS was useful in facilitating interaction between nurses, clients, family and statistically significant others; improving medication adherence and supporting blood glucose monitoring. The use of infographics was preferred to traditional SMS among digitally literate patients and voice calls for those who were illiterate. Participants had limited knowledge of downloadable diabetic applications. Participants were willing to accept and use SMS for the management of diabetes mellitus. Patient or Public Contribution: Thirteen nurses actively participated in the studyItem Psychosocial Experiences of Patients with Type -2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Study at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital(University of Ghana, 2016-07) Owusu, Y.; Korsah, K.A.; Atiase, Y.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of NursingDiabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease resulting from the body’s inability to produce and utilize insulin effectively. Living with type -2 diabetes mellitus has been associated with several challenges. Identification of these challenges would help in holistic healthcare provision for persons living with type-2 diabetes mellitus. This study explored the lived experiences of persons living with type-2 diabetes mellitus in Accra by examining their psychosocial experiences as well as how they cope with their condition. A total of 12 persons living with type-2 diabetes mellitus were purposively sampled and semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with the patients. The study used the exploratory descriptive approach to qualitative research. Data collected in this study was analyzed using interpretative content analysis developed by Polit & Beck (2005). Results from the study showed that type-2 diabetes mellitus has severe negative physical consequences on the lives of the patients in the form of low physical energy, fatigue and weight loss. Living with type-2 diabetes mellitus has been found to result in severe negative psychological consequences for the patients and the most prevalent of all are depression and anxiety. However, some of the patients in the study did not report symptoms of psychological problems since they reported that they are able to handle their condition. It was also found that living with type-2 diabetes mellitus has severe negative consequence on the economic lives of the patients in the form of job loss and lack of employment opportunities. Additionally, results showed that patients experience some negative social consequences of their illness in the form of social restrictions, isolation and stigmatization from the community members due to the severe weight loss which is misconstrued to be HIV. Finally, it was observed from the analysis of the narratives that the respondents use several coping strategies including support from their social networks, religion and self-care practices. It is therefore noted that living with type-2 diabetes mellitus has severe negative Psychosocial Experiences of Patients with Type -2 Diabetes. psychosocial consequences for the patients and healthcare personnel should look out for these challenges of patients in order to offer the needed support and care. Predictive factors of the psychological problems among persons living with type -2 diabetes mellitus should be explored using a larger sample size in the future studies. Similarly, from the findings of this study, there may be the need to do further research to explore how spirituality or religiosity in particular is used to manage a chronic disease like diabetes mellitus.Item Report of the Commission on Higher Education in West Africa.(H.M Stationary Office, London., 1945-06) Walter, E.; Channon, H.J.; Dickinson, J.R.; Duff, J.F.; Sir Geoffrey, E.; Huxley, J.; Creech Jones, A.; Mouat Jones, B.; Korsah, K.A.; Kuti, I.O.R.; Martin, E.C.; Read, M.; Taylor - Cummings, A.E.; Sinclair, G.E.To report on the organisation and facilities of the existing centres of higher education in British West Africa, and to make recommendations regarding future university development in that area.Item Understanding the Nurse-Patient Interaction at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The Patients' Perspectives and Experiences(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Mensah, O.N.; Aniteye, P.; Korsah, K.A.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of NursingThe nurse–patient interaction, a core of professional nursing practice, shows the relationship that exists between nurses and their patients in the care encounter. This study set out to explore and understand the experiences patients go through during their interactions with nurses and to find ways of enhancing nurse-patient interactions. The study took place at the maternity, adult medical and surgical wards of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana. The target population for this study was all patients who were admitted for a week or more and had come for review after discharge at the time of the study. A qualitative exploratory approach was adopted and purposive sampling technique was used to select the desired sample. A semi-structured interview guide was used to elicit information from 12 patients. The data was analyzed using content analysis. The key findings were: nurses were found to be poor communicators, nurses discriminated among patients based on patients‘ social status and ability to pay for services rendered which led to deliberate neglect of patients. Nurses‘ poor attitudes were found to have a negative influence on the nurse/patient interaction. Many nurses had little or no respect for the rights of patients. Supervision was found to be poor leading to patients‘ ill-treatment, especially on night shifts. A few nurses were however described as good, supportive and caring. The inclusion of interpersonal skills, especially communication skills in nursing curricula, in-service training and workshops was recommended to improve the quality nursing care delivery at KATH.Item The Use of Religious Capital as a Coping Strategy in Self‑care by Type 2 Diabetes Patients in a Ghanaian Hospital(Journal of Religion and Health, 2022) Korsah, K.A.Given the importance Ghanaians attribute to spirituality and religiosity in terms of disease causation and management, this study explored the use of religious capital as a coping strategy by individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus in self-care at the Techiman Holy Family Hospital Diabetes Clinic in the Bono East Region of Ghana. An exploratory descriptive qualitative research design was employed for the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of twenty-seven (27) individuals recruited from the diabetes clinic. Content analysis was employed to find themes, which included: (1) Use of Prayer and Fasting for Courage from God, (2) Reliance on God as the Creator of Human Beings who Cures and Heals Diseases in the Body, (3) God as Source of life in times of Illness (Drawing life from God in times of illness), (4) Faith and Hope in God, and (5) Doctors and Nurses as Substitutes for God. The findings advocate the need to incorporate religiosity and spirituality into the provision of healthcare for individuals with diabetes to help them live productive lives.