Browsing by Author "Ofori, M.A."
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Item Cognitive Behaviour Method and Anxiety Reduction before Surgery(University of Ghana, 2004-06) Ofori, M.A.; Afrifa, A.; Danquah, S.A.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, Department of PsychologyThis study was conducted to find out the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy on preoperative anxiety and post-surgical recovery. The study involved forty (40) elective surgical patients of both genders who came in for either a major or minor surgery at the surgical block of the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire-interview. The experimental group went through the cognitive behavioural therapy, which comprised of cognitive techniques, together with breathing-in techniques and progressive muscle relaxation. This group was compared with the control group who went through no intervention. It was found out that the experimental group recovered faster than the control group. Also the anxiety levels of the experimental group were lower prior to surgery than the control group. The number of days patients spent in the hospital together with the pain medication taken after the operation was also considered. Other factors considered included gender and age in relation to the intervention which showed no significant difference, and anxiety level and type of surgery, which did not also yield any significant difference. On the whole, cognitive behaviour method was found to be very beneficial in reducing anxiety prior to surgery and facilitating postoperative recovery among elective surgical patients.Item Prevalence of dental fear and anxiety amongst patients in selected dental clinics in Ghana.(2009-06) Ofori, M.A.; Adu-Ababio, F.; Nyako, E.A.; Ndanu, T.A.Objective To find out the prevalence of dental anxiety and fear amongst patients in various selected dental clinics in Accra, Ghana. Study design Dental patients (n = 279) who had either been exposed to dental treatments or had no prior dental exposure, attending four selected dental clinics in Accra were randomly sampled. They were interviewed with the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) used to evaluate dental anxiety, and the Dental Fear Survey (DFS) used to measure dental fear among the respondents. Results A high level of dental anxiety was found in 13.6 per cent of the study sample, while 47.3 per cent were fearful of various dental treatments. Female patients recorded a higher DFS score than males (22.84 ± 9.87 and 19.7 ± 8.15 respectively). The MDAS showed a significant difference between the sexes (X2 = 6.912, p = 0.032). The DFS showed a significant difference (F = 2.56, p = 0.039) existing within the age group, with the younger age group showing the highest DFS value. There was no significant difference between the mean scores of the MDAS and the DFS of the study group with regard to educational level. Previous dental experience did not have any impact on fear or anxiety levels (p > 0.05) Conclusions Dental anxiety and fear has been found to be high amongst dental patients in Ghana. Females are more likely to report higher dental anxiety and fear scores than males. Dental surgeons and the whole dental team should be made aware of this situation and the appropriate treatment plan created for an anxious or fearful patient.