Challenges and Coping Strategies of Student Nursing Mothers in Tertiary Institutions in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Abstract

The task of combining motherhood with the demands of academic life is a difficult one. Academic women continue to have primary responsibility for housework, childcare and for instilling cultural values in the next generation. These social responsibilities, coupled with demands of academic life create a role conflict. The study aimed at finding out the challenges faced by student nursing mothers in tertiary institutions in the Greater Accra Region and the strategies they adopt to cope with the challenges. Specifically the study delved into challenges pertaining to academic work, economic and childcare activities. The study adopted the mixed method design. The purposive and accidental sampling procedures were used to select the sample. A semi structured questionnaire was developed and administered to fifty-five (55) student nursing mothers in University of Ghana, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Valley View University , Methodist and Central University Colleges Ten of the respondents were however interviewed using the questionnaire. The activities of the student nursing mothers were as well observed directly. The data which emanated from the closed ended questions was edited, coded and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The result was then presented descriptively in frequencies and percentages using tables. Descriptive narrative method was used to analyse the qualitative responses generated through the open ended questions. The data was transcribed, coded and analysed manually and presented narratively. The study found that majority of respondents faced academic challenges such as inability to attend lectures and tutorials regularly because of tiredness, sickness of child, taking baby to child welfare clinic and lack of lactation rooms for breastfeeding of babies. The cost of transport to and from school and payment of fees were the economic challenges. They were as well unable to perform their child care functions adequately. To cope with the challenges respondents relied on paid house helps, keeping children at day care centres, raising loans and relying on husbands and friends for lift to school. The study recommended for the provision of lactation rooms, day care centres and counselling services for student nursing mothers on university campuses.