Conference Proceedings and Papers
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Conference proceeding is a collection of academic papers published in the context of an academic conference or workshop. Conference proceedings typically contain the contributions made by researchers at the conference. They are the written record of the work that is presented to fellow researchers.
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Item Relationships with intimate partner violence: Exploring the dynamics and associated personal characteristics in an urban sample in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2015-04-17) Akotia, C.S.; Anum, A.Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a universal problem that significantly affects individual's mental and physical well-being. Researchers have identified different risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and victimization. Research on IPV however, have focused largely on either men or women with little attempt to compare the sexes on issues that are associated with IPV and the dynamics involved in relationships in which IPV occurs. Using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2) (Strauss, Hamby, Boney-McCoy, & Sugarman, 1996), we embarked on a preliminary study exploring the different types of violence perpetrated on partners among Ghanaians living in Accra. We also explored individual and group characteristics such as age, education, and relationship status as predictors of IPV. We administered the CTS2 to 150 people selected from Accra. Our findings showed gender and education associations with victimization and perpetration of IPV. We also found limited but significant associations with types of IPV. We discuss the appropriateness of the CTS2 in Ghana and discuss our findings in the light of the Ghanaian socio-cultural context.Item Addressing ethical issues in suicide research in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2015-04-17) Akotia, C.S.; Osafo, J.Suicide is a sensitive issue around the globe and research in the area in Ghana has exuded certain ethical challenges confronting researchers on the topic. These ethical issues bother on the moral dilemmas faced by the researchers while conducting qualitative interviews among suicide attempters and lay persons as well as the beneficial effects of conducting such interviews. We argue that researchers doing suicide studies in developing countries should continue to emphasize to informants their role as 'researchers' and not therapists. However, perhaps in LAMIC countries with limited mental health resources, researchers can reasonably double as a helper and researcher. Such dualistic role should not be viewed as a breach of standard ethical protocol, but rather, perhaps as a dynamic artifact of doing 'culturally sensitive' research.Item Attitudes of medical doctors towards suicide and criminalization of attempted suicide in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2015-04-17) Osafo, J.; Akotia, C.S.; Boakye, K.Attitudes affect willingness to provide help for suicidal persons. Consequently, attitudes of key health professionals such as nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists and physicians have been examined. Although physicians are a key group in the management of suicide attempters, to the best of our knowledge, no study has examined their attitudes towards suicide. This study therefore examined 15 (10 males,5 females) medical doctors' attitudes towards suicidal person, what they perceive as risk factors for suicide and their views on the law that condemns attempted suicide. The methodology was qualitative and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results showed that the majority expressed empathic attitudes towards suicidal person (with only 5 condemning the act on the basis of religious values). Further the medics ' perceptions of the risk factors for suicidal behaviour fell within the biopsychosocial model (depression, loneliness, relationship distress, joblessness etc) more than the biomedical. Consistent with their empathic attitudes toward suicide, the majority of medics (11 out of 15) supported a repeal of the criminal code predicated on a "sick view" of the suicidal person as someone who needs help more than "a criminal "who must be prosecuted. The implications of the findings towards decriminalizing suicide in Ghana are addressed.