5 research outputs found
Art, Music and Religious Experience in Libation Pouring of Akan Religion
The Akans of Ghana are traditionally accustomed to celebrating different rituals which are enshrined in their cultural life. Libation pouring, which accompanies the celebration of great rituals, amidst the subsidence of the sound of music and dance, can display a special art in religion. The primary objective of this paper is to examine libation as a ritual experience, and in so doing to draw attention to its art forms and relevance as regards the psychological significance for the Akan society which practises it. What beliefs connect the pouring of libation in Akan society? What are the occasions for practising this ritual? Are there some distinctions in the artistic prayer of libation? These questions lead directly to the proposition which states that libation is able to generate some forms of religious experience. It is then argued that libation ritual has psychological consequences beneficial to the group and the individual who privately engages in it.
Socio-demographic characteristics and psychosocial consequences of sickle cell disease: the case of patients in a public hospital in Ghana
Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is of major public health concern
globally, with majority of patients living in Africa. Despite its
relevance, there is a dearth of research to determine the
socio-demographic distribution and psychosocial impact of SCD in Ghana.
The objective of this study was to examine the socio-demographic
distribution and psychosocial consequences of SCD among patients in
Ghana and to assess their quality of life and coping mechanisms.
Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used that involved the
completion of questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics,
quality of life, coping mechanisms, anxiety and depression.
Participants were 387 male and female patients attending a sickle cell
clinic in a public hospital. Results: Results showed that majority of
the patients were single, female, less than 39 years old and had
attained secondary school level of education or less. Also, patients
were more satisfied by the presence of love, friends and relatives as
well as home, community and neighbourhood environment. While pains of
varied nature and severity were the major reasons for attending
hospital in SCD condition, going to the hospital as well as having
faith in God was the most frequently reported mechanisms for coping
with an unbearable SCD attacks. Results of multiple regression analysis
showed that some socio-demographic and quality of life indicators had
strong associations with anxiety and/or depression. Conclusions: It is
recommended that a holistic intervention strategy incorporating
psychosocial dimensions should be considered in the treatment and
management of SCD