Browsing by Author "Ohene, L.A."

Now showing 1 - 15 of 15

Beliefs and misconceptions about hypertension disease: A qualitative study among patients in a peri-urban community in Ghana
(Original Research Article, 2023) Otemah, J.; Ohene, L.A.; Kyei, J.; Owusu-Darkwa, I.
Objective: This study aims to explore beliefs and perceptions about hypertension among patients living with hypertension in a local district in the Eastern region of Ghana. Methods: A descriptive qualitative approach was adopted, and the Health Belief Model was used to guide the data collection, analysis, and organization of the study findings. Overall, seventeen participants were interviewed. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semistructured interview guide. Participants were conveniently selected from a district local Government Hospital. Data gathered were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Almost all the participants acknowledged hypertension as a severe but chronic illness that can cause sudden death. They also identified that lifestyle practices and individual attitudes were associated with the hypertension condition’s causes, management, and control. The findings revealed several unscientific misconceptions and beliefs about hypertension, which could influence their disease management and control decisions. Discussion: Patients’ decisions on alternative treatment for hypertension are primarily based on beliefs and misconceptions based on the information they receive from unregulated media and peers. The prevention and control of hypertension should focus on behavior and lifestyle modification which needs reinforcement through health education and promotion.
Factors influencing nurses’ pain assessment and management of road traffic casualties: a qualitative study at a military hospital in Ghana
(BMC Emergency Medicine, 2024) Tata, T.K.; Ohene, L.A.; Dzansi, G.A.; Aziato, L.
Background Evidence shows that patients who visit the surgical and trauma emergency units may be discharged with untreated or increased pain levels. This study explored nurses’ pain assessment and management approaches at a trauma-surgical emergency unit in Ghana. Methods Seventeen nurses who work in the trauma department participated in this qualitative exploratory descriptive study. In-depth individual interviews were conducted, and the thematic analysis was utilized to identify emerging themes and subthemes. Results Three main themes were identified: patient pain indicators, pain management, and institutional factors influencing pain management. The study revealed that nurses rely on verbal expressions, non-verbal cues, physiological changes, and the severity of pain communicated. The findings highlighted staff shortage, inadequate resources, and lack of standardized guidelines as factors affecting pain and management. Conclusions Although the study offers critical new perspectives on nurses’ experiences regarding pain related issues at the trauma-surgical emergency units, its small sample size limited its generalizability.
Fathers' experiences of caring for children living with cerebral palsy: A qualitative study in a low resourced socioeconomic context, Ghana
(Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 2023) Bentum, L.C,; Ohene, L.A.; Ampomah, M.O.; et al.
Background: In Ghana, little is known about fathers' experiences caring for children with cerebral palsy. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore a. the caregiving demand and burden on fathers of children with cerebral palsy and b. describe the caregiving consequences and coping strategies of fathers of children with cerebral palsy. Design and methods: The study utilized an exploratory, descriptive qualitative approach with a sample size of fifteen fathers purposively selected. The study used a semi-structured interview guide to conduct a one-on-one interview with participants. The analysis performed was thematic and content analysis. Results: The results revealed complexities of care demand and burden; thus, meeting the child's needs resulted in physical and mental exhaustion, frequent hospital visits, and substantial financial implications for fathers. Conclusions: We conclude that the family, particularly fathers, need support to embrace the challenging care roles as parents to children with cerebral palsy. It is evident that caring for children is mainly reserved for mothers in the African context. However, the demanding nature of care for a child with a developmental disability requires the involvement of both parents to meet the child's care needs and reduce the caregiver's care burden. Practice implications: Health professionals, particularly nurses must initiate and advocate for fathers' active participation in daily childcare. Tailored supportive care for families with children with disabilities in sub Saharan Africa is required
Forces Influencing Family Centred Care Practice for Children Hospitalised Through Road Traffic Accident in Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2019-03-26) Ohene, L.A.
In Ghana, families perceive children as a gift from God; however, the day-to-today care of children largely depicts that of a free-range parenting. Evidence shows that children form the largest proportion of persons at higher risk of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) as pedestrians. Consequently, RTA is one of the leading causes of traumatic injuries and hospitalization of children in Ghana. The sudden hospitalisation of the injured child is associated with anxiety and stressful episodes for the affected families. Family Centred Care (FCC) is an internationally recognised concept in paediatric nursing, whereby families are perceived as recipients of care when a child is sick and admitted to the hospital. Thus, care for the sick child is planned around the family taking into consideration the peculiar needs of the family. As a result of the differences in social contexts, cultures, family norms and values, FCC models over the years have evolved as a social product. Therefore, this research posed one question ‘What forces influence FCC for children hospitalised through RTA in Ghana?’ The research question was explored qualitatively using grounded theory methods. Two major concepts emerged from parents and health professionals perspectives. The focus of this presentation is to unveil the research processes undertaken which led to a logical revealing findings. The findings as emerged from the research will enlighten the public about key processes of hospital systems, including the driving and restraining forces of FCC practice in hospitals. Health professionals will be informed about the pressing needs of families with injured children in the hospital. Implications for policy, practice and education as well as recommendations will be outlined.
Ghanaian women beliefs on the causes, prevention and treatment of cervical cancer: A qualitative Study
(International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 2023) Asakitogum, D.A.; Aziato, L.; Ohene, L.A.
Objective: The choice of the sick to access health care services in Ghana or consult a health care provider depends on the individuals’ beliefs about the disease and available services. This paper seeks to explore the health beliefs of cervical cancer survivors in Ghana. Methods: We employed an exploratory qualitative approach in this study. We interviewed 12 participants to gain an in-depth understanding regarding the beliefs, causes, prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in Ghana. Data collection and analysis were done concurrently, and themes and subthemes were generated through content analysis. Verbatim quotes were used to support the findings. Results: Three themes emerged. 1. Beliefs about the causes of cervical cancer, which include the choices of cloths and criminal abortions. 2. Beliefs on cervical cancer prevention; early education of the girl child on vagina hygiene and avoidance of highly processed food products. 3. Beliefs on cervical cancer treatment; participants believed that cervical cancer is one of the diseases not well managed in hospitals in Ghana. Conclusions: Mistrusts for orthodox cancer treatment is the leading rationale patients report late to the hospital in Ghana. Much is desired for public education on contemporary treatment and cure for cervical cancer disease.
Health Professionals' Perceptions and Practice of Family Centred Care for Children Injured in Road Traffic Accidents: A Qualitative Study in Ghana
(Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 2020-02-11) Ohene, L.A.; Power, K.J.; Raghu, R.
The Family Centered Care (FCC) model iswidely recognized as the standard for pediatric care practice in the context of families and hospitalized children. Healthcare professionals' knowledge of the FCCmodel is therefore central to its successful implementation. Nonetheless, there is paucity of scholarship in the Ghanaian context, regarding professionals' knowledge and practice of FCC. Objectives: This study, being the first in the Ghanaian context aimed to explore the perceptions of family centered care among healthcare professionals who provide the healthcare needs of children hospitalized through road traffic accidents. Method: Twenty-four (24) healthcare professionals were interviewed as part of a larger study which adopted a Grounded Theory approach. Data collection and analysis occurred concurrently. Here, we employed constant comparative methods to structure emerging categories and sub-categories. Findings: Most health professionals in the study perceived family centered care to mean family involvement, although obvious inconsistencies characterized existing practices. Based on contextual perspectives, three categories emerged, namely; parental involvement, communication and setting boundaries. Conclusion: The concept of FCC is a familiar terminology among health professionals. However, its principles, components and dimensions in the western context are alien to healthcare professionals in Ghana. A contextspecific FCC model which reflects social values and cultural norms is therefore required for healthcare services to children and families in Ghana
The Image of Nurses and Midwives in Ghana: Patient and Family Perspectives
(Global Qualitative Nursing Research, 2022) Ohene, L.A.; Acheampong, A.K.; Dzansi, G.; Kyei, J.; Adjei, C.A.; Adjorlolo, S.; Asante, I.N.A.; Woolley, P.; Nyante, F.; Aziato, L.
This study aims to explore the perceptions of patients and family caregivers on the image of nurses and midwives in Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative exploratory descriptive approach. A total of 25 participants were interviewed during data collection. Content and thematic analysis were applied in the data analysis to develop themes. The findings are captured under two major themes that describe the primary influences on participant images of nurses: Thus, (1) nurses’ and midwives’ attributes with four subthemes; staff appearance, communication strategies and behaviors, work attitudes, and professional competence and (2) patients’ status and subthemes were; uneducated poor and educated rich. We conclude that patients and families in Ghana recognize the professional attributes of the nurse and midwife, which reflect in their personality, grooming, communication, competencies, and attitudes. However, low publicity of the professional roles of nurses and midwives may have negative repercussions for their professional image. A policy to perform a regular public audit on the image of the Nurse/Midwife is important for professional advancement.
Nurse-led telerehabilitation intervention to improve stroke efficacy: Protocol for a pilot randomized feasibility trial
(PLOS ONE, 2023) Osei, S.K.J; Adomako – Bempah, E.; Yeboah, A.A.; Owiredu, L.A.; Ohene, L.A.
Background The prevalence of stroke continues to rise in low-middle income countries. The continual rise in stroke cases and increasing prevalence on post-acute needs represent a crucial call for increased accessibility and utilization of rehabilitation services. Aim The primary objective of the study is to test the feasibility of a nurse-led telerehabilitation intervention in improving self-efficacy among stroke survivors. The findings of the trial are intended for use in a future larger study. Methods Participants would be recruited at the University of Ghana Hospital and randomized into an intervention group and a control group. Participants aged � 18 years, diagnosed of stroke at most 12months prior the recruitment and requiring moderate level of assistance would be considered for eligibility. Participants in the intervention group will receive individualized and comprehensive nurse-led rehabilitation therapies in physical, emotional, cognitive and nursing education domains for 6 months, in addition to treatment as usual (TAU). The control group will only receive treatment as usual. Follow-up evaluations will occur immediately, 30 days and 90 days after the intervention. Discussion Providing stroke rehabilitation services in low-resource settings presents a significant challenge due to limited infrastructure and a lack of trained healthcare professionals. The current study has the potential of contributing to the growing body of evidence on the impact of telerehabilitation services in mitigating these challenges in low-resource settings.
Nurses’ and midwives’ perspectives on participation in national policy development, review and reforms in Ghana: a qualitative study
(BMC Nursing, 2021) Acheampong, A.K.; Ohene, L.A.; Asante, I.N.A.; Kyei, J.; Dzansi, G.; Adjei, C.A.; Adjorlolo, S.; Boateng, F.; Woolley, P.; Nyante, F.; Aziato, L.
Background: The World Health Organization has admonished member countries to strive towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC) through actionable health policies and strategies. Nurses and midwives have instrumental roles in achieving UHC via health policy development and implementation. However, there is a paucity of empirical data on nurses and midwives’ participation in policy development in Ghana. The current study explored nurses and midwives’ participation in policy development, reviews and reforms in Ghana. Methods: A qualitative descriptive exploratory design was adopted for this study. One-on-one individual interviews were conducted after 30 participants were purposefully selected. Data was audiotaped with permission, transcribed and analyzed inductively using the content analysis procedures. Results: Two main themes emerged from the data: participation in policy development and perspectives on policy reviews and reforms. The findings showed that during health policy development and reviews, nurses in Ghana were overlooked and unacknowledged. Policy reforms regarding bridging the pre-service preparation gap, staff development and motivation mechanisms and influence on admission into nursing schools were raised. Conclusion: The authors concluded that nurses and midwives are crucial members of the healthcare systems and their inputs in policy development and reviews would improve health delivery in Ghana.
Parents’ perception of family centred care for children hospitalized through road traffic accident: A qualitative study at two tertiary settings in Ghana
(International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 2019-11-09) Ohene, L.A.; Power, K.J.; Raghu, R.
Background: Conceptually, Family Centred Care promotes better medical outcomes by ensuring that families play key supporting roles in children’s adaptation to unfamiliar clinical environments. This care approach is crucial to minimising traumatic experiences resulting from Road Traffic Accidents and subsequent hospitalisations. Objectives: This study sought to understand Family Centred Care from a sub-Saharan context by exploring perceptions among parents and families whose children were hospitalised as a result of Road Traffic Accidents. Method: The study was conducted at two government-funded institutions located in Ghana’s capital city - Accra. Pediatric surgical units which admit RTA injured children were purposively selected sites for data collection. Using Constructivist Grounded Theory approaches, 19 participants were interviewed. A semi-structured interview guide aided in-depth individual interviews with probing questions to elicit detailed information from participants. Data collection and analysis occurred iteratively. Here, we employed constant comparative methods. Broad categories and sub-categories emerged from the analysis. Findings: Significantly, all 19 participants embraced family centred care in principle. However, our observations revealed that both institutions practiced family centred care informally to a lesser degree. Three major categories emerged, namely: managing emotions, parental care roles and negotiating the system. Conclusion: Culturally, Ghanaians perceive parents’ devotion to hospitalised children as synonymous with good parenting. Equally, emotional support and parents’ negotiation powers are important prerequisites for greater participation in the care process. Hence, we recommend that a coherent national policy, robust clinical guidelines, and a culturally-sensitive Family Centred Care model are integral to parents’ participation in hospitals in Ghana.
Perceptions and Cues to Action as Predictors of Nurses’ Vaccination Intentions at Two Primary Health Care Facilities in Ghana
(American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2023) Tagbor, S.; Ohene, L.A.; Adjei, C.A.; Kyei, J.
Uptake of hepatitis B vaccination by health care providers remains suboptimal in Ghana, although it is considered an effective strategy against the hepatitis B virus. This study aimed to identify the predictors of nurses’ hepatitis B vaccination intentions at two municipal health care facilities in Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was adopted. A section of the health belief model-based questionnaire was administered to 181 nurses conveniently sampled from the two facilities. Data analysis was done using Statistical Product and Service Solutions software version 23.0. Frequencies and percentages were used to assess the demographic characteristics of participants. Pearson r coefficients were used to assess the intercorrelations between individual perceptions, and the cues to action on vaccination intentions. Simple and multiple regression was used to estimate the prediction of individual perceptions, and the cues to action on hepatitis B vaccination intentions of nurses. The findings showed that nurse-perceived benefits and cues to action were positive and significantly related to hepatitis B vaccination intentions of nurses (r 5 0.14, P , 0.05; r 5 0.17, P , 0.05). Perceived susceptibility and perceived barrier were negative and significantly related to vaccine intentions (r 5 20.13, P , 0.05; r 5 20.24, P , 0.01). Notably, perceived barrier predicted hepatitis B vaccination intentions (b520.22, t 5 22.48, P 5 0.01). Nurses’ vaccination behavioral intentions were positive. It was recommended that perceived barriers to hepatitis B vaccination such as vaccination ineffectiveness, time constraints, high costs, and side effects should be addressed to increase nurses’ vaccination uptake.
Physical and social wellbeing of family caregivers of persons with hepatitis B associated chronic liver disease in Ghana: a qualitative study
(BMC Primary Care, 2023) Abaah, D.; Ohene, L.A.; Adjei, C.A.
Background Hepatitis B is one of the most common viral (HBV)infections that affect the liver. Infection with the virus may result in varying severity of liver disease which may be acute or chronic. Though most people recover from the infection, about 5 −10% of cases lead to chronic infection. Persons who develop HBV-related debilitating liver disease will likely require informal care from family caregivers. Aim This study sought to explore the physical and social wellbeing of family caregivers of persons with hepatitis B-associated chronic liver disease in a tertiary hospital in the Central region of Ghana. Methods This study adopted an exploratory, descriptive qualitative research design. We used a purposive sampling technique and a semi-structured interview guide to interview eighteen participants. The Quality of Life (QoL) model applied to family caregivers underpinned the study and guided the formulation of study objectives. Data analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s procedure for thematic content analysis. Similar codes were grouped into subthemes, and similar subthemes were grouped into major themes. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (coreq) checklist was used as a guide for writing the study. Results Two major themes emerged from the study: physical wellbeing and social wellbeing. Seven subthemes were also identified: physical body changes and physiological body changes (physical wellbeing) and role strain, social isolation, financial impact, affection/sexual function, and support social wellbeing). These central themes aligned with two domains of the QoL model applied to family caregivers. Conclusion Family caregivers of persons with HB-associated liver disease suffer ill health due to the burden of physical care for their sick relatives and neglect their health due to time constraints. They also experience role strain as they cannot attend to other family responsibilities and feel socially isolated since they spend all their time caring for a sick family member
A qualitative enquiry into the challenging roles of caregivers caring for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Ghana
(Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 2024) Appah, A.; Senoo-Dogbey, V.E.; Armah, D.; Wuaku, D.A.; Ohene, L.A.
Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition commonly characterized by challenges with social interaction, repetitive atypical behaviour, and restricted interest. It is estimated that about 1 in 160 children has ASD. Caring for children with ASD is challenging for many parents or caregivers. Objectives: The study aims at exploring the challenges experienced by caregivers of children with ASD. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was employed using an exploratory descriptive research design. A total of 10 participants were recruited in this study using a purposive sampling technique. Data were analysed using content analysis procedures. Result: Caregivers of children with ASD face social, financial, and emotional challenges, challenges in accessing health care, education and training of their children in mainstream school settings. Conclusion: The numerous challenges have implications for the quality of life of the caregivers and their children. The financial challenges and inaccessibility of specialist health services have serious implications for the contin uous medical care and monitoring of children with ASD. The challenges in education and training of children with ASD has negative consequences for enrolment and retention of children with ASD in mainstream school settings.
Road traffic injuries (RTIs) in Ghana: Challenges to nursing care
(Footprints of the Nursing Profession: Current Trends and Emerging Issues in Ghana, 2014) Ohene, L.A.
Social factors influencing child health in Ghana
(Public Library of Science, 2016) Quansah, E.; Ohene, L.A.; Norman, L.; Mireku, M.O.; Karikari, T.K.
Objectives. Social factors have profound effects on health. Children are especially vulnerable to social influences, particularly in their early years. Adverse social exposures in childhood can lead to chronic disorders later in life. Here, we sought to identify and evaluate the impact of social factors on child health in Ghana. As Ghana is unlikely to achieve the Millennium Development Goals' target of reducing child mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015, we deemed it necessary to identify social determinants that might have contributed to the nonrealisation of this goal. Methods. ScienceDirect, PubMed, MEDLINE via EBSCO and Google Scholar were searched for published articles reporting on the influence of social factors on child health in Ghana. After screening the 98 articles identified, 34 of them that met our inclusion criteria were selected for qualitative review. Results. Major social factors influencing child health in the country include maternal education, ruralurban disparities (place of residence), family income (wealth/poverty) and high dependency (multiparousity). These factors are associated with child mortality, nutritional status of children, completion of immunisation programmes, health-seeking behaviour and hygiene practices. Conclusions. Several social factors influence child health outcomes in Ghana. Developing more effective responses to these social determinants would require sustainable efforts from all stakeholders including the Government, healthcare providers and families. We recommend the development of interventions that would support families through direct social support initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty and inequality, and indirect approaches targeted at eliminating the dependence of poor health outcomes on social factors. Importantly, the expansion of quality free education interventions to improve would-be-mother's health knowledge is emphasised.