Knowledge of Health Information for Healthcare Decision Making: A Cross Sectional Study of Health Staff in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Health information collected and analyzed by health staff is the backbone for decision-making. Health staff’s Knowledge and understanding influence their usage of health information for health care planning and decision-making. This study assessed the knowledge and understanding of health information among health staffs in the Ashanti region, Ghana. This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2011. The study involved 323 health staffs who were sampled from among1162 health workers from public, private, quasi and mission health facilities and the Metro Health Directorate in four of the ten sub-metros across the Kumasi metropolis. Data was analysed with STATA 11 software. The study outcome indicates a high level of knowledge of health information among health staffs in the Kumasi metropolis with 77% having comprehensive knowledge on HI (measured by correct responses of the statements to tease out knowledge). Awareness was however low among staff of quasi facilities. Staffs knowledge of health information was influenced by their academic qualification, profession and training on health information. Lack of awareness and training on health information discouraged the use of HI among health staffs (OR=0.02 and 0.08 respectively). Health information remains critical to making evidenced based decision-making. Improving the knowledge and understanding of health staffs will go a long way to increase the use of health information for planning and decision-making. Keywords: Health information, planning, Kumasi metropolis, knowledge, decision makin

Assessment of Emotional Distress in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Case Study at the National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Korle-Bu

Emotional distress is a common symptom experienced by most cancer patients which is difficult to detect and if detected, only a small percentage receives treatment. It becomes worse over the course of treatment and after the end of therapy which negatively impact on the quality of life of the patients. This study looked at the prevalence of emotional distress of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and the factors that affects emotional distress. A cross-sectional study was done with 150 participants receiving chemotherapy at the National Centre for Radiotherapy, Korle-Bu. Data were collected using structured self-rated questionnaires. Emotional distress was assessed using the Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and linked with their clinical characteristics from their medical records. Chi-square was used to examine the factors that affect emotional distress. Out of 150 participants, 89(59.3%) were distressed. More females were more distressed than men. Analysis indicated that the younger the age, low income level,   being employed and low educational status affects distress level. Common side effects of chemotherapy experienced by the patients were also related to high levels of distress. Emotional distress is relatively high in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and it is affected by younger age, low income level, being employed and low educational status. Early detection and intervention of distress during chemotherapy will be easier if health professionals especially the oncology nurse screen patients before and during chemotherapy so as to know those who are vulnerable and need psychological care. Keywords: cancer, emotional distress, chemotherapy, hospital anxiety and depression scale, tumour