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Item Improving the quality of life of women with Metabolic syndrome using lifestyle intervention program(University of Ghana, 2020-02-25) Achempim-Ansong, G.Metabolic syndrome (MetS), an emerging global pandemic with high socioeconomic cost, predisposes individuals to the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease. Studies have shown an increase in the prevalence of MetS among women globally and among Ghanaian women. Market work related factors such as physical inactivity and lack of proper nutrition due to preoccupation with trading activities, as well as lack of knowledge regarding the effect of this kind of work environment predispose market women to the development of MetS. The study sought to examine the effects of a lifestyle intervention programme on the quality of life of market women with metabolic syndrome in Kaneshie Accra, Ghana. The one group pre and post-test intervention design was employed in the study. A lifestyle intervention programme was designed and piloted among 70 MetS positive market women between the ages of 25 to 65. The quality of life of the women was assessed using the WHOQOL Bref 26 item questionnaire developed by WHO. Data were analysed using STATA and Tukey tests. Findings from the study revealed a significant improvement in participants’ MetS parameters and quality of life after the intervention programme. The results of the study indicated that a 3-month physical activity, diet and health education programme for market women with MetS, contributed significantly in reducing the incidence of MetS and improving their quality of life. There is therefore the need for regular screening for MetS as well as awareness creation of the general public on MetS.Item Assessing the physical health-related quality of life among older adults(University of Ghana, 2020-02-25) Eliason, C.; Kyei, A.A.The populations of older adults are fast increasing. As such, maintaining and improving quality of life in the presence of increased chronic diseases among older adults has become important. Physical health related quality of life is a clinically relevant predictor of adverse health outcome among older adults with chronic diseases. The purpose of the study was to assess the population characteristics and the physical health-related quality of life of community dwelling older adults. A total of 500 community dwelling adults from 6 districts were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study. The health-related quality of life was assessed using the Medical Outcome Study (MOS) 36 item short form health survey (SF-36). Data were analyzed using Stata version 14.0. The findings revealed that majority of the older adults were aged between 60 to 64 years, were females (58%) and had attained middle school certificate (MLSC) and were living with their families. Most of the older persons were covered by some form of health insurance with most insured with the NHIS. More than half of the respondents had chronic illnesses (53.5%) and perceived their present health status as good (56.7%). The mean physical component score (PCS) for the population surveyed was poor (43.75±21.81). As age increased, lower mean PCS were observed. Men had higher mean PCS scores than females (48.04± 21.27 versus 40.54± 21.71). Predictors of the physical component of health-related quality of life were education (AOR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04-0.92), employment status (AOR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.85), benefit from government (AOR 3.84, 95% CI 1.72-8.57), monthly income (AOR 4.16 95% CI 1.14-15.22) and diagnosed with chronic illness (AOR 3.51, 95% CI 1.77-6.95). Thus, the physical health-related quality of life among community dwelling older adults was poor. Physical health interventions aimed at improving the physical health related quality of life of older adult is recommended. This will significantly promote healthy ageing among older adults and improve their quality of lifeItem Keeping Hope Alive on a Lonely Path: Perspectives of women with Infertility Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)(University of Ghana, 2019-10-29) Kyei, J.Infertility remains a challenge for some couples globally. Evidence show that one in every six couples will face a fertility problem in their reproductive age. For the past four decades, Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has been an alternative treatment for infertility in many countries, including Ghana. The complexities associated with the ART process underscore the relevance of coping throughout the treatment cycle. To understand the multiple factors negatively affecting couples undergoing ART, I used a convergent parallel mixed-method research design to investigate the phenomenon in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Overall, 223 women participated in the study. The Ways of Coping (WOC) validated questionnaire and interview protocols were used to collect the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Data were processed using Stata version 14.0 and Nvivo QSR version 10. The findings showed that couples, particularly women, attach importance to childbearing in many cultures in Ghana. But in an event where the expectation of procreation is unmet, psychological and emotional wellbeing become distorted. Mental health issues reported by women as consequences of infertility included depression, anxiety, self-stigma, and enacted stigma. All participants opted for ART as an alternative solution to their infertility. The process of ART also presented challenges to the women such as high cost of ART, long-distance to ART centres, and anxiety about treatment outcome. The women, however, adopted various coping strategies, including confrontation, distancing, self-control, social support, acceptance, avoidance, problem-solving, and positive reappraisal to deal with the ART challenges. The increasing demand for ART as an alternative treatment to infertility in Ghana calls for integration of ART services into the existing regular obstetric and gynecological services in public hospitals in Ghana. This could remove barriers to ART access for couplesItem Sustaining Hope: A Narrative Inquiry into Experiences of Hope in Nurses who care for People Living with HIV (PLWH)(University of Ghana, 2019-10-29) Puplampu, G.L.; Osafo, J.Hope is a behavioural phenomenon that is frequently referenced from the patient perspective. The health care providers are not considered hope deficient neither do their ability to sustain their hope with which they live their lives is deliberated about in their daily lives. Hope can be observed through actions in any setting such as in healthcare delivery. While hope is a vital force in the healthcare system particularly for those who deliver care or receive care in high mortality settings like HIV and AIDS, palliative care and infirmaries. There are few qualitative studies of hope in HIV management. The purpose of my study is to understand hope from the nurses’ perspective in HIV care practice. Narrative inquiry revealed contextual narrative threads of hope such as 1) Becoming a nurse for people living with HIV; 2) Experiences of practicing with hope; 3) Faith in God for which they gained strength; 4) Learning to live with hope from childhood. The emergent themes were not only experiences in the life that are related to the sustaining of hope but also internal beliefs that related to sustain the nurses’ hope such as faith in God. In conclusion nurses find hope vital in HIV care but this needs to be nourished.Item 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.Item Family Dynamics in the HIV/AIDS Care Cascade: An Insider Lens(University of Ghana, 2019-03-26) Dzansi, G.; Anim-Boamah, K.The narratives about HIV/AIDS at the initial stages of the disease was focused on preventing new infections, finding treatment and reducing mortality. Today, the improved access to treatment is increasing the number of people living with HIV/AIDS. The World health Organisation (WHO) noted that about 36.9 million people were living with HIV as at 2017 out of which 25.7 million were from Africa and 310, 000 from Ghana. Notably, Africa is a continent that places value on family life and social networks. While some families maintained strong bonds, other families faced with the menace of HIV/AIDS are at risk of losing family cohesion due to the negative perception and causality ideations about HIV/AIDS. Stigma is one of the major factors emanating from the internal and external environment of people diagnosed with HIV. The family is one of the social systems that facilitates or inhibits response and adjustment to difficult situations including the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness like HIV. It is for this reason that I explore how HIV/AIDS is affecting the family as a social institution. The presentation is a synthesis of information from professional, tacit and a scoping review lens. The questions pivoting the discussion include; How do people living with HIV/AIDS relate with their family members? What factors influence their family relations? What interventions would improve family life experiences for people living with HIV/AIDS? How are Nurses and Midwives positioning themselves within the HIV/AIDS care cascade in order to respond to the family dynamics? The family which is threatened by HIV/AIDS need information, motivation, care and support to navigate their experiences in a way that prevent maladaptation and family disintegration. Disintegration of the family contributes to existing socioeconomic burden; therefore, the clarion call is for all to arise and save the family through thinking through solutions, demonstrating a heart of love and a hand ready to care for a family living with an HIV reactive member.Item Managing Women with Gestational Diabetes (GDM): Clinical Realities in Ghana’ -(2018-10-30) Mensah, G.; Mensah, D.Pregnancy is believed not to be a disease but a normal physiological process for the majority of women. These women, their families and significant others normally expect a successful period of pregnancy, labour, delivery and a normal and healthy baby. However, some of these pregnant women develop Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) during this period and if not managed properly, the mother and the foetus in utero are affected in a negative way and there is a likelihood of the mother and baby developing Type 2 Diabetes in the near future. In order to prevent such occurrences, the researcher set out to explore the perceptions of midwives on the nursing management of GDM; in addition, women with a history of GDM were interviewed so as to elicit their views on the management they had experienced from professional nurses and midwives before and after being diagnosed with GDM. The design for this research was qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature and purposive sampling technique was employed. Data was collected through semi-structured individual interviews. Fifteen (15) participants (8 midwives and 7 patients) were recruited for this study. The data collected from the interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim, analysed, extracted and Tesch’s eight steps of coding was used for the coding during the Thematic content analysis. Themes that emerged were: 1. Participants expressed aspects that are critical to the management of women with GDM; 2. The importance of optimising quality of care by professional nurses and midwives in the management of women with GDM was emphasised; 3. Inadequate healthcare resources compromise the management of women with GDM. The presentation will discuss in-depth the clinical realities around the thematic areas identified.Item Are we doing enough in Diabetes Care? Lessons from a Hermeneutic Phenomenological Investigation(2018-10-30) Korsah, K.A.; Mensah, D.Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with hyperglycaemia as a result of disturbances linked with carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism owing to malfunctioning of the pancreas, with particular reference to insulin production or secretion, action or both. In Africa and Ghana in particular, it appears that diabetes mellitus is viewed as more than a biomedical disorder as patients hold certain health and illness beliefs and perceptions around the condition apart from what is known about the scientific causes and treatments of the disorder. There are explicit scientific treatments or protocols for diabetes which chiefly centre on medications, diet, exercise, monitoring of blood glucose and education. These basic medical guidelines are important to improve glycemic control of the affected persons to prevent complications associated with the disorder. It has been observed that aside the rudimentary medical care and practices that are offered to diabetes patients, their health and illness beliefs and perceptions need to be considered in the care of persons living with diabetes mellitus in Ghana. There is the need to focus attention on patients’ health and illness perceptions in diabetes care around (a) traditional beliefs regarding the origins of diabetes mellitus (b) social connotations ascribed to diabetes mellitus (c) patients’ responses/reactions to diagnosis of diabetes and resolution and (d) patients’ perceptions/concepts of seeking cure for diabetes mellitus and other issues. These may offer healthcare providers a better understanding of how to manage diabetes patients holistically in the Ghanaian context. Thus, the biomedical care approach may not single-handedly successfully manage this protracted condition in Ghana. However through the inclusion of an understanding of their health and illness beliefs and perceptions, the healthcare providers may recognize the unique life issues of Ghanaian diabetes patients, and how to offer them the needed support and care in an appropriate socio-cultural sensitive manner.Item “The Mother Beyond Delivery”: The Midwife and Maternal Mental Health(2018-03-27) Adjorlolo, S.; Welbeck, J.Mental illness is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality, globally. Health professionals, specifically midwives’ have significant roles to play in reducing maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030, particularly in developing and resource constraint countries, as envisioned by the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3. Consequently, following a systematic and integrated literature review, this presentation critically examines midwives involvement in promoting maternal mental health, such as identifying women at risk, assessing and referring women appropriately in Ghana and beyond. Also, in view of calls to integrate mental health into general maternal health care, the presentation examines how midwives’ can be empowered, taking into consideration sociocultural dynamics and mental illness, to screen and deliver evidenced-based, low-cost interventions through routine maternal health and reproductive care services, or make appropriate psychiatric care referrals. Midwives’ are highly skilled in developing relationships with childbearing women and their families, a privileged position that affords a unique opportunity to enhance and promote maternal mental health to contribute to the attainment of SDG 3.Item Unveiling Midwives' Experiences of Newborn Health in Rural Birth Spaces in Southern Ghana(2018-03-27) Ani-Amponsah, M.; Welbeck, J.Midwives’ experiences of newborn care in rural communities have been minimally explored over the past two decades globally in spite of their rich experiences as frontline health workers in maternal and newborn health. In Ghana, the slow decline of neonatal mortality is shaped by inequitable health coverage, lapses in health care delivery, weak community engagement strategies and policy implementation challenges. Understanding the dynamic contextual factors that impact rural newborn health care delivery is critical to meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2 - i.e. reducing neonatal mortality to at least 12 per 1000 live births. The aim of this study was to explore and unveil the experiences of midwives involved with newborn health care in rural birth settings, Southern Ghana. Interpretive phenomenology that incorporates Heideggerian and African philosophy were used to explore the meanings embedded in the experiences of thirteen midwives who volunteered to participate in the study. Emerging themes were synthesized from the verbal transcripts, field notes, reflective journal and commentaries from two independent reviewers to produce rich narratives of the midwives’ embodied experiences. The study findings establish that maternal and neonatal care are delivered in health facilities, domiciliary settings and unpredictable spaces in rural communities where silent suffering occur. The knowledge generated in the study serves as basis for setting newborn health care delivery priorities, scaling up research-informed interventions, and refining policies to improve newborn health care delivery and midwifery practice in rural settings within Ghana.Item ‘I wish I was not a Woman’: The Pain of Women within the Reproductive Age in Ghana(2017-10-03) Aziato, L.Pain is a universal phenomenon experienced by all and it is the most common reason why people seek health care. Women within the reproductive age continue to experience excruciating menstrual pain and labour pain. Due to the subjective and abstract nature of pain, qualitative research was conducted to gain an in-depth insight into the menstrual and labour pain experiences of women. Therefore, this presentation discusses the research approach employed and the key findings of menstrual and labour pain experiences of women such as pain characteristics, pain effects and management approaches within the Ghanaian clinical context. Specific socio-cultural considerations such as misconceptions and religiosity are discussed. It is emphasized that pain assessment is an important consideration for pain management and the woman in pain should be managed as an individual. It is important to prioritize pain management among women with menstrual and labour pain to prevent the negative effects of pain that can be detrimental to their health.Item Understanding the Complexities of Infertility in Ghana(2017-10-03) Naab, F.; Ayeh-Kumi, P.F.The experience of infertility in Ghana is associated with a lot of convolutions that need to be understood for better management of couples struggling with infertility in Ghana. As a result, the management of infertility must embrace all these complex aspects. However, it is sad to note that even though a lot of scientific evidence indicate that victims of infertility in Ghana are overburdened by these complexities, only a minute aspect of infertility is managed in Ghana. There is an imminent need to improve the management of couples with infertility in Ghana. The purpose of this public seminar is to unravel these complexities for better understanding of the infertility experience in Ghana.