Browsing by Author "Ofori-Atta, A.L."

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Challenges in the use of the mental health information system in a resource-limited setting: Lessons from Ghana
(BMC Health Services Research, 2018-02) Kpobi, L.; Swartz, L.; Ofori-Atta, A.L.
Background One of the most successful modes of record-keeping and data collection is the use of health management information systems, where patient information and management plans are uniformly entered into a database to streamline the information and for ease of further patient management. For mental healthcare, a Mental Health Information System (MHIS) has been found most successful since a properly established and operational MHIS is helpful for developing equitable and appropriate mental health care systems. Until 2010, the system of keeping patient records and information in the Accra Psychiatric Hospital of Ghana was old and outdated. In light of this and other factors, a complete reforming of the mental health information systems in three psychiatric hospitals in Ghana was undertaken in 2010. Four years after its implementation, we explored user experiences with the new system, and report here the challenges that were identified with use of the new MHIS. Methods Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine clinical and administrative staff of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital to examine their experiences with the new MHIS. Participants in the study were in three categories: clinical staff, administrator, and records clerk. Participants’ knowledge of the system and its use, as well as the challenges they had experienced in its use were explored using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Results The data suggest that optimal use of the current MHIS had faced significant implementation challenges in a number of areas. Central challenges reported by users included increased workload, poor staff involvement and training, and absence of logistic support to keep the system running. Conclusions Setting up a new system does not guarantee its success. As important as it is to have a mental health information system, its usefulness is largely dependent on proper implementation and maintenance. Further, the system can facilitate policy transformation only when the place of mental health in district, regional and national health discourse improves.
Clinical psychology in Ghana
(Clinical Psychology Forum, 2010) Ofori-Atta, A.L.
This article describes the history of clinical psychology in Ghana, the contribution already made and the challenges still to be faced as clinical psychology evolves to meet local needs and strives to establish itself as a profession.
Precipitants of substance abuse relapse in Ghana: A qualitative exploration
(Journal of Drug Issues, 2016-11) Appiah, R.; Danquah, S.A.; Nyarko, K.; Ofori-Atta, A.L.; Aziato, L.
Relapse to substance abuse is a global problem and is conceptualized as an integral component of the recovery process. Global statistics on rates of relapse after substance abuse treatment are disturbingly high, averaging about 75% within a 3- to 6-month duration after treatment. This study sought to gain full understanding of the factors that precipitate relapse among substance abusers in Ghana. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 15 relapsed substance abusers who were previously treated for substance abuse, and three mental health professionals at a psychiatric rehabilitation unit in Ghana. Findings showed that seven factors, including positive/negative emotional reinforcements, sense of loss, interpersonal conflicts, peer influence, familial, religio-cultural, and treatment-based issues complot to instigate and maintain the relapse cycle. The findings provide valuable insights into the relapse phenomenon in Ghana. Clinicians should actively engage family members in the relapse prevention process, and provide insight into religio-cultural relapse precipitants.
Psychology in Ghana: A review of research and practice
(Changing Perspectives on the Social Sciences in Ghana, 2014-05) De-Graft Aikins, A.; Ofori-Atta, A.L.; Anum, A.; Dzokoto, V.A.
This chapter tracks the evolution of the development of psychology in Ghana from the colonial era to present. We focus on research trends and practice trends in the first two sections. In the final section, we present and discuss current and future challenges in developing psychology in Ghana, in terms of its theoretical and practical relevance to social and national development. Our discussion is informed by a review of published articles on psychological research in Ghana, supplementary material solicited from psychologists based in Ghana, Europe and the US and our own work in the areas of clinical psychology, cognitive and neuropsychology and social and health psychology. Peltzer and Bless (Psychol Dev Soc 1:53-64, 1989) along with a number of African psychologists have suggested that psychology in Africa is undermined by cultural, organisational and manpower/finance challenges. The future prospects of Ghanaian psychology are considered through this interpretive framework. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht. All rights reserved.