School of Nursing
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Item Running Bead: Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Professionals(University of Ghana, 2003-03) Brew, G.Over the past decade breastfeeding promotion, with a strong bias for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, is accounting for a gradual reversal in the decline of breastfeeding noticed in African countries in the late 1970's. Although there has been some increase in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana, this rate falls significantly after the. first two months, as complementary feeding before the sixth month is common. Despite the decline in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding after the second month, some mothers sustain the practice up to the sixth month. A qualitative design was employed to investigate what has facilitated the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for four to six months among professionals. Ten professionals were purposefully sampled. In-depth audiotaped interviews were conducted in English. The results indicated that commitment was a strong enabling factor of exclusive breastfeeding practice, with education playing a key role. Commitment did not work in isolation. Direct facilitators like the availability of time, support and engagement in exclusive breastfeeding-related activities enhanced the role of commitment. Although some barriers that were potentially deterrent to the practice of exclusive breastfeeding were reported, the combined effect of commitment and direct facilitators enabled the practice for four to six months. Among strategies that could be used to increase and sustain the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding is the strengthening of the educational component of the breastfeeding, promotion programme that contributes to a better understanding of the completeness of breastmilk as both food and drink for the infant. Other strategies include drawing on the experiences of women who have successfully exclusively breastfed, the establishment of self-help breastfeeding support groups and training health professionals in lactation management.Item Retention of Nurses in Ghana: Perspectives of Nurses at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital(University of Ghana, 2007) Davies, A. A.; Oware-Gyekye, F.; Awuah-Peasah, D.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of NursingA qualitative approach which is exploratory in nature was used to explore retention of nurses in Ghana: perspectives o f nurses at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, The research sought to explore what had made nurses stay in Ghana and what these nurses believe will enhance retention o f nurses in Ghana. Eleven participants were interviewed including a nurse administrator. The inclusion criterion was nurses who had worked in Ghana for at least ten years. The analytic strategy was content analysis and after verbatim transcription, checking, correcting and coding, personal convictions, monetary benefits and improved working conditions were found to be the reasons why nurses had been retained in Ghana. Personal convictions should be exploited in order to retain nurses. The Ghana Registered nurses Association should ensure that nurses are well paid. This they can do by lobbying. Ministry of Health should improve upon the working conditions of nurses.Item Social Support for People Living with Hiv Aids within the Accra Metropolitan Area(University of Ghana, 2005-05) Agyir-Binn, H.; Laryea, J.L.; Strang, V.R.; Anarfi, J.K.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences , School of NursingSocial support has been identified as one o f the coping strategies in chronic illnesses especially in HIV/AIDS disease. The purpose of this study was to explore how the people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) experience social support in the Accra Metropolitan area of Ghana. An exploratory, descriptive and qualitative method was employed in this study. A purposive sampling was used in the selection of the fourteen participants living with HIV/AIDS. They were interviewed using semi structured interview guide and observations. The data were analyzed using content analysis and constant comparison. The main themes that emerged from the study were; “Lived experiences o f PLWHA, biophysical experiences, psychological experiences, socio-economic, and socio-cultural experiences. Others included coping strategies, meaning attached to support, sources and types o f support, and perception o f support received. Other sub-themes emerged under these major themes. The findings indicated that the PLWHA experienced some unpleasant symptoms o f the disease, which limited their ability to work and earn income. This is because the disease has stigma attached to it, and it either made them weak and unable to work or has depleted their capital. A few were stigmatized and isolated by some members o f their family. This has created a variety of needs such as employment, getting the necessities o f life for themselves and their dependants and the need for healing o f their diseases. Each o f the participants had at least one support provider. These providers were; the family, community members, non-governmental organizations, church institutions, and health institutions. The support the participants received covered financial, assistance with basic needs, and social support. Others included medical, emotional and spiritual support. Whilst some o f these supports were provided spontaneously to the PLWHA, others had to beg for the support. It was the general view of all except one participant that the support they received was inadequate. The participants devised some coping strategies to contain the situation. Some o f these were projection, disclosure, and mutual support. Most o f them expressed their desire to work, preferably sedentary work. These findings have implications for nursing care and policy making. It is important for policy-makers to consider employment policies that would support the PLWHA to continue being employed, even after diagnosis, in jobs that do not entail strenuous activity. Policies on reaching out to the PLWHA should be intensified to prevent stigmatization and isolation o f the PLWHA.Item Prenatal Learning Needs of Multigravid Women at Suntreso Hospital(University of Ghana, 2003-02) Bansah, M.A.; Gyekye, F.O.; O'Brien, B.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of NursingThe need for effective client education is an important component in midwifery practice. The benefits include a decrease in maternal mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to explore the learning needs of multigravid women. The study was qualitative in nature and an exploratory- descriptive design was adopted. Eighteen multigravida women were selected for the study through a purposive convenience sampling technique. Eight women were interviewed individually and ten engaged in a focus group discussion. Responses were audio taped, transcribed verbatim and content analyzed. Findings indicated that multigravid women had particular learning needs that were not met. Their most important information sources were the prenatal clinic and their mothers. Some of the information from these two sources was in conflict. Responses of the women were sometimes related to misconceptions and inadequate information. Others, generated doubts, anxieties and unsound practices. The women reported that specific topics that the nurses taught, such as preparation for delivery, personal hygiene, nutrition, and aspects of breastfeeding did not reflect their current learning needs. They did however report that topics such as birth control, fetal positions, and sexual activity during pregnancy would be helpful. The women wanted a variety of teaching methods or more interactive teaching styles during teaching periods to address individual and group learning needs. The study provides useful information and strategies from clients’ perspectives that could help to plan, develop and implement prenatal education sessions to meet the felt learning needs of multigravid women and to equip them with relevant information.