Medical pluralism, healthcare utilization and patient wellbeing: The case of Akan cancer patients in Ghana
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
Abstract
Purpose: As cancers increase in Ghana and in many low-and middle-income countries,
healthcare utilization has become critical for disease management and patients’ wellbeing.
There is evidence that medical pluralism is common among cancer patients in Ghana and
many other African countries, which results in lack of adherence to and absconding from
hospital treatments. The objective of this study was to examine ways in which beliefs in
disease causation influence medical pluralism among Akan cancer patients in Ghana.
Methods: A qualitative research approach was employed in this study. In-depth interviews
were conducted for thirty (30) cancer patients who were purposively recruited from Komfo
Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Thematic content analysis was used in analysing data.
Results: Our findings revealed that cancer patients ascribed both physical and spiritual
causality to their illness. As such, they combined orthodox treatment with spiritual healing
and herbal medicine. Regarding the order of therapeutic search, patients reported to herbal
and spiritual centres before going to the hospital, a phenomenon which contributes to the
late reporting and diagnosis as well as bad prognosis of cancers in Ghana.
Conclusion: The findings of this research elucidate the relationship between culture and
health care choices of cancer patients in Ghana. Increased awareness creation is crucial in
eradicating myths surrounding cancers in Ghana.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Cancer patients, Culture, Medical pluralism, Akan, Ghana
Citation
To cite this article: Patience Gyamenah Okyere Asante, Chloe Z Tuck & Deborah Atobrah (2023) Medical pluralism, healthcare utilization and patient wellbeing: The case of Akan cancer patients in Ghana, International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 18:1, 2238994, DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2023.2238994