Browsing by Author "Kwashie, A."

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

The in-hospital tuberculosis diagnostic cascade and early clinical outcomes among people living with HIV before and during the COVID-19 pandemic - a prospective multisite cohort study from Ghana
(International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2023) Ahsberg, J.; Bjerrum, S.; Ganu, V.J.; Kwashie, A.; Commey, J.O.; Adusi-Poku, Y.; Puplampu, P.; Andersen, A.B.; Kenu, E.; Lartey, M.; Johansen, I.S.
Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic had a disruptive impact on tuberculosis (TB) and HIV services. We assessed the in-hospital TB diagnostic care among people with HIV (PWH) overall and before and during the pandemic. Methods: In this prospective study, adult PWH admitted at three hospitals in Ghana were recruited if they had a positive World Health Organization four-symptom screen or one or more World Health Organization danger signs or advanced HIV. We collected data on patient characteristics, TB assessment, and clinical outcomes after 8 weeks and used descriptive statistics and survival analysis. Results: We enrolled 248 PWH with a median clusters of differentiation 4 count of 80.5 cells/mm3 (interquartile range 24-193). Of those, 246 (99.2%) patients had a positive World Health Organization four symptom screen. Overall, 112 (45.2%) patients obtained a sputum Xpert result, 66 (46.5%) in the prepandemic and 46 (43.4%) in the pandemic period; P-value = 0.629. The TB prevalence of 46/246 (18.7%) was similar in the prepandemic 28/140 (20.0%) and pandemic 18/106 (17.0%) population; P-value = 0.548. The 8-week all-cause mortality was 62/246 (25.2%), with no difference in cumulative survival when stratifying for the pandemic period; log-rank P-value = 0.412. Conclusion: The study highlighted a large gap in the access to TB investigation and high early mortality among hospitalized PWH, irrespective of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Psychosocial Experiences of Breastfeeding Hiv Positive Mothers in Tema Metropolis
(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Acheampong, A.K.; Naab, F.; Kwashie, A.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Nursing
Breastfeeding is one of the main modes through which HIV is transmitted from mothers to their infants. Although the rate of transmission is drastically reduced when the breastfeeding mother is managed on anti retroviral therapy, there is still a probability of transmission. This puts a considerable level of strain on breastfeeding HIV positive mothers. The purpose of this study was to explore the psychosocial experiences of breastfeeding HIV positive mothers in the Tema metropolis. The study was guided by the self efficacy theory by Albert Bandura. Thirteen breastfeeding HIV positive mothers were recruited from the Tema General Hospital to participate in the study. A semi- structured interview guide was used as the data collection tool. The five main themes which emerged after thematic content analysis of the transcribed data were; self motivating factors of breastfeeding HIV positive mothers, factors which influence initiation of breastfeeding among HIV positive mothers, the role of social persuasion in breastfeeding attitudes of HIV positive mothers, psychological emotions of breastfeeding HIV positive mothers and coping strategies used by breastfeeding HIV positive mothers. The findings of the study illustrated that, breastfeeding HIV positive mothers motivated themselves due to their own previous experiences, hope in anti-retroviral therapy, encouragement by other mothers in similar situations and counselors. Socially, the opinions of their spouses, counselors and members of their community had a role to play in their decision to breastfeed. Psychologically, the women had fear, anxiety, blame and guilt. Strategies such as support groups, prayer and denial were some of the coping mechanisms. Therefore, breastfeeding HIV positive mothers should be attended to in private at the clinic so that their unique needs are met adequately
Qualitative exploration of psychological reactions and coping strategies of breastfeeding mothers living with HIV in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana
(International Breastfeeding Journal, 2017) Acheampong, A.K.; Naab, F.; Kwashie, A.
Background: Exploring the psychological reactions of breastfeeding mothers living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an important step which may improve guidelines for counselling. The purpose of this study was to explore the psychological reactions and coping strategies of breastfeeding mothers living with HIV in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Methods: Qualitative descriptive exploratory design was used to explore the psychological experiences and coping strategies of 13 breastfeeding mothers living with HIV in a main referral public hospital, at the greater Accra Region of Ghana. An interview guide was designed and piloted before it was used to collect data between November, 2014 and February, 2015. Data was content analyzed for themes and subthemes to emerge. Results: The two major themes that emerged included psychological reactions and coping strategies. Some of the subthemes were fear, anxiety, blame, hope, denial, prayer and trust in positive situations of life. Conclusion: The women used denial, prayer and hope in ART, among others to cope with their emotions. This highlights the need for HIV counsellors to detect signs of denial since it can lead to non-adherence to ART as well as relapse. Health workers should therefore put the coping strategies in context during counselling of mothers in this category. © 2017 The Author(s).
Reconceptualising Preceptorship in Clinical Nursing Education in Ghana
(International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 2019-04) Asirifi, M.; Ogilvie, L.; Barton, S.; Aniteye, P.; Stobart, K.; Bilash, O.; Eliason, C.; Achempim-Ansong, G.; Kwashie, A.; Aziato, L.
Clinical teaching in nursing education is a worldwide challenge that needs to be context specific (Vitale, 2014) in relation to local health needs, current and potential nursing roles within the health system, and availability of human, fiscal, and clinical resources. Resource constraints, however, pose greater challenges in low and middle-income countries. In 2016, we engaged in a four-cycle community-based participatory action research (CBPR) study to examine current issues in clinical nursing education in one school of nursing in Ghana and worked collaboratively with stakeholders in visioning possibilities for improvement. Congruent with the CBPR approach (Caine & Mill, 2016), a four-member Collaborative Research Team from the School of Nursing engaged in the study consulted in the development of the research as it progressed, collaborated in data analysis, determined priorities for action, and participated in devising and implementing recommendations.
The Voices That Influence HIV-Positive Mothers’ Breastfeeding Practices in an Urban, Ghanaian Society
(Journal of Human Lactation, 2018-02) Acheampong, A.K.; Naab, F.; Kwashie, A.
Background: The World Health Organization recommends that HIV-positive mothers should breastfeed for at least 1 year. There are people in the lives of these mothers who influence their decisions. Research aim: The aim was to explore the role of social persuasion in the decision-making processes of HIV-positive breastfeeding mothers. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory research design was employed (N = 13). Participants were recruited from a public hospital in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. One-on-one interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and the contents of the transcripts were analyzed for emerging themes. Results: The perspectives of spouses, health workers, counselors, and siblings about breastfeeding affect the breastfeeding practices of mothers living with HIV in Ghana. Most of the women had negative experiences with their midwives. Because of complex social and cultural influences, the opinions of spouses, health professionals, siblings, and members of the communities in which breastfeeding mothers with HIV live influence breastfeeding practices. Conclusion: This study described HIV-positive, breastfeeding mothers’ perceptions of the role played by spouses, health professionals, siblings, and the community in breastfeeding decisions and practices. Influential people in the lives of breastfeeding mothers with HIV should be involved during interventions by HIV counselors to promote breastfeeding practices.