12 research outputs found
The views of migrant health workers living in Austria and Belgium on return migration to sub-Saharan Africa
Exploring the return migration experience of football migrants: a case study of Ghanaian footballers
Characteristics of users and implications for the use of complementary and alternative medicine in Ghanaian cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy: a cross- sectional study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is widespread use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Ghana, driven by cultural consideration and paradigm to disease causation. Whether there is concurrent use of conventional medicine and CAM in cancer patients is unknown. This study investigates the prevalence, pattern and predictors of CAM use in cancer patients. Overlapping toxicity, sources of information, and whether users inform their doctor about CAM use is examined.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Cross-sectional study using a questionnaire administered to cancer patients, who were receiving radiotherapy and or chemotherapy or had recently completed treatment at a single institution was used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ninety eight patients participated in the study with a mean age of 55.5 (18â89), made up of 51% females. Married individuals formed 56% of the respondents, whilst 49% had either secondary or tertiary education. Head and neck cancer patients were 15.3%, breast (21.4%), abdomen/pelvic cancers constituted (52%).Seventy seven (78.6%) patients received radiotherapy only, 16.3% received radiation and chemotherapy and 5.3% had chemotherapy only.</p> <p>Ninety five patients were diagnosed of cancer within the past 24 months,73.5% were CAM users as follows; massage(66.3%), herbal(59.2%), mega vitamins(55.1%), Chinese medicine(53.1%),and prayer(42.9%). Sixty eight percent were treated with curative intent. Overlapping toxicity was reported. Majority (83.3%) of users had not informed their doctor about CAM use.</p> <p>On univariate analysis, female (p=0.004) and palliative patients, p=0.032 were more likely to be CAM users. Multivariate analysis identified female (p<0.01), as significant for use, whilst head and neck site was significant for non use (p<0.028). Young, married and highly educated individuals are more likely to use CAM.</p> <p>Friends and Media are the main sources of information on CAM. There was increase in CAM use after the diagnosis of cancer mainly for Chinese Medicine and vitamins.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There is high CAM usage among Cancer patients, comparable to use in the general population, there is concurrent use of CAM and conventional medicine with reported overlapping toxicity but without informing Oncologist about use. Women and palliative patients are more likely to use CAM. Doctor patient communication on herbal-radiotherapy and drug treatment interaction needs to be strengthened. Standardization and regulation of CAM use is paramount.</p
Correlates of domestic waste management and related health outcomes in Sunyani, Ghana: a protocol towards enhancing policy
Parentsâ and teachersâ views on sexual health education and screening for sexually transmitted infections among in-school adolescent girls in Kenya: a qualitative study
Beyond Knowledge and Awareness: Addressing Misconceptions in Ghanaâs Preparation towards an Outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease
Stress, health, noise exposures, and injuries among electronic waste recycling workers in Ghana
Adolescents and parentsâ perceptions of best time for sex and sexual communications from two communities in the Eastern and Volta Regions of Ghana: implications for HIV and AIDS education
Coping with global uncertainty: Perceptions of COVID-19 psychological distress, relationship quality, and dyadic coping for romantic partners across 27 countries
A correction has been published: Erratum to Coping with global uncertainty: Perceptions of COVID-19 psychological distress, relationship ... available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/02654075211061907American Psychological Associationâs Office of International Affair