Browsing by Author "Mate-Kole, C."

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Health-seeking behaviour, referral patterns and associated factors among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases in Ghana: A cross-sectional mixed method study
    (PLOS ONE, 2022) Amissah-Arthur, M-B.; Gyaban-Mensah, A.; Boima, V.; Yorke, E.; Dey, D.; Ganu, V.; Mate-Kole, C.
    Background Challenges exist in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune rheumatic diseases in low and middle income countries due to factors, such as poverty and under-resourced healthcare infrastructure. Furthermore, other contributory factors such as societal, cultural and religious practices influence health seeking behaviour which has a bearing on access and delivery of healthcare. Objectives To examine the health seeking behaviour and referral patterns of Ghanaian patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases and assess the associated factors that influence these. Method A cross-sectional study using an explanatory sequential mixed method design was carried out in a Rheumatology clinic at a national referral centre. 110 participants were purposively recruited for the quantitative phase. The qualitative phase comprised 10 participants for indepth interviews and 10 participants for a focus group discussion. Analysis using descriptive statistics, t-tests and logistic regression models were performed. Transcripts generated from the interviews and focused group discussion were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Median duration from onset of symptoms until seeking help was 1 week (IQR = 12); from seeking help until obtaining a final diagnosis was 12 months (IQR = 33). Multiple factors determined the choice of first facility visited, X2 (12, N = 107) = 32.29, p = .001. Only twenty-one participants (19.6%) had knowledge of their disease prior to diagnosis. Education predicted prior knowledge [OR = 2.6 (95% CI = .66–10.12), p < .021]. Unemployed participants had increased odds of seeking help after a month compared to those who were employed [Odds ratio = 2.60 (95% CI = 1.14–5.90), p = .02]. Knowledge of autoimmune rheumatic diseases was low with multiple causative factors such as biomedical, environmental and spiritual causes determining where patients accessed care. Forty (36.4%) participants utilised complementary and alternative treatment options. Conclusion We observed that knowledge about autoimmune rheumatic diseases among Ghanaian patients was low. Patients sought help from numerous medical facilities, traditional healers and prayer camps often contributing to a delay in diagnosis for most patients. This was influenced by individual perceptions, cultural beliefs and socioeconomic status. Active awareness and educational programmes for the public and healthcare workers are required, as well as strategic planning to integrate the biomedical and traditional care services to enable earlier presentation, accurate diagnosis and better clinical outcomes for the patients.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Predictors and outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) admission rates in a large teaching hospital in sub-Saharan Africa
    (Lupus, 2018-02) Dzifa, D.; Boima, V.; Yorke, E.; Yawson, A.; Ganu, V.; Mate-Kole, C.
    Although it was previously believed that systemic lupus erythematosus was uncommon among Africans, it has become increasingly apparent that the incidence is higher, and socioeconomic challenges such as physician shortages, poor medical facility access, and poor health literacy may worsen prognosis. This retrospective study examines characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized systemic lupus erythematosus patients over a two-year period and serves as a baseline for comparison for future studies to examine the outcomes with the provision of more dedicated care. There were 51 patient admissions over a two-year period, with a mean duration from start of illness to admission of approximately two years. Duration of admission ranged from one to 140 days with a mean period of 26.12 days (SD ± 26.6). There were 22 deaths (43.1% of admissions), which were mainly due to infections and renal complications. Factors associated with risk of death in regression analysis were: infections, fever, disease flare, musculoskeletal involvement, amenorrhea, depression, a clinical finding of hepatomegaly, and chest infection. Understanding the effect and outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus across different countries can elucidate the role of genetic, environmental, and other causative factors in the progression of the disease.