Browsing by Author "Ussher, Y.A.A."
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by Ghanaian Patients with Breast Cancer(Trends in Psychology, 2023) Teye‑Kwadjo, E.; Goka, A.; Ussher, Y.A.A.Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used by Ghanaian patients with breast cancer. We explored the experiences of CAM use among women with breast cancer. Twelve women participated in individual, in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis anchored in the social constructivist paradigm. Findings show that most participants viewed CAM use (i.e., herbal medicine and faith healing) as a lost cause. In other words, participants’ accounts suggested that CAM use for treating breast cancer had little or no chance of succeeding. Our findings highlight the public health consequences of using herbal medicine and faith healing for treating breast cancer. They also highlight the complexity of the breast cancer experience for Ghanaian patients and provide opportunities for health literacy promotion. Additional studies are needed to identify the scope of the risk factors associated with CAM use for treating breast cancer in Ghana.Item Promoting Gender Equality in Ghana: Sociocultural Factors in Perspective(Reimagining Development Education in Africa, 2022) Ussher, Y.A.A.; Tsevi, L.; Boafo-Arthur, A.Despite many efforts in promoting gender equality, the issue has not become obsolete. Gender inequality with respect to education continues to exist as it finds its expression in socio-cultural factors. This paper explores sociocultural factors that contribute to gender disparity with respect to education. Using semi-structured interviews, the study explores the views of university faculty members regarding sociocultural factors that affect gender educational inequality and solicit their views on interventions being implemented to promote gender equality. The findings of the study show that gendered division of labour is the predominant socio-cultural practice that promotes gender inequality with respect to education and must be reviewed using advocacy and community engagement. The authors therefore argue that unless these socio-cultural practices hegemonized in African society is done away with, gender inequality with respect to education will never become obsolete. There is therefore the need to create awareness and sensitization of the negative effects of socio-cultural practices using African indigenous knowledge and education to promote self-emancipation of females, and an agenda for education and development.Item Promoting Gender Equality in Ghana: Sociocultural Factors in Perspective(Reimagining Development Education in Africa, 2023) Ussher, Y.A.A.; Tsevi, L.; Boafo-Arthur, A.Despite many efforts in promoting gender equality, the issue has not become obsolete. Gender inequality with respect to education continues to exist as it finds its expression in socio-cultural factors. This paper explores sociocultural factors that contribute to gender disparity with respect to education. Using semi-structured interviews, the study explores the views of university faculty members regarding sociocultural factors that affect gender educational inequality and solicit their views on interventions being implemented to promote gender equality. The findings of the study show that gendered division of labour is the predominant socio-cultural practice that promotes gender inequality with respect to education and must be reviewed using advocacy and community engagement. The authors therefore argue that unless these socio-cultural practices hegemonized in African society is done away with, gender inequality with respect to education will never become obsolete. There is therefore the need to create awareness and sensitization of the negative effects of socio-cultural practices using African indigenous knowledge and education to promote self emancipation of females, and an agenda for education and developmentItem Unpacking the psychological and physical well-being of Ghanaian patients with breast cancer(Dialogues in Health, 2022) Teye-Kwadjo, E.; Goka, A.; Ussher, Y.A.A.This study explored the psychological and physical well-being of 12 Ghanaian women diagnosed with breast cancer. aged between 22 and 69 years. Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted with participants to understand their lived experiences following their diagnosis and treatment. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts. Findings revealed that patients’ psychological and physical well-being relative to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are marked by (a) persistent pain, (b) concerns with physical appearance, and (c) a willingness to lose a breast for survival, (d) positive religious coping, and (e) posttraumatic growth (i.e., positive psychological changes in the aftermath of diagnosis or treatment). The findings suggest that recognising patients’ concerns with pain, physical changes, and the will to lose a breast to survive in the care continuum may yield public health dividends. Moreover, the findings highlight the need for individualised psychotherapeutic interventions to assist patients in dealing with the disease in the aftermath of their diagnosis and treatment.