5 research outputs found
Barriers to formal healthcare utilisation among poor older people under the livelihood empowerment against poverty programme in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana
Abstract: Background: Even though there is a growing literature on barriers to formal healthcare use among older people, little is known from the perspective of vulnerable older people in Ghana. Involving poor older people under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, this study explores barriers to formal healthcare use in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana. Methods: Interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 30 poor older people, 15 caregivers and 15 formal healthcare providers in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of Ghana. Data were analysed using the thematic analytical framework, and presented based on an a posteriori inductive reduction approach. Results: Four main barriers to formal healthcare use were identified: physical accessibility barriers (poor transport system and poor architecture of facilities), economic barriers (low income coupled with high charges, and non-comprehensive nature of the National Health Insurance Scheme [NHIS]), social barriers (communication/language difficulties and poor family support) and unfriendly nature of healthcare environment barriers (poor attitude of healthcare providers). Conclusions: Considering these barriers, removing them would require concerted efforts and substantial financial investment by stakeholders. We argue that improvement in rural transport services, implementation of free healthcare for poor older people, strengthening of family support systems, recruitment of language translators at the health facilities and establishment of attitudinal change programmes would lessen barriers to formal healthcare use among poor older people. This study has implications for health equity and health policy framework in Ghana
Understanding the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of resettlement projects
Studies from the Global South on resettlement have focused on compensatory issues, with a little emphasis on socio-cultural, economic, and environmental impacts. The present study therefore focused on exploring the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental impacts of the Bui-Dam project in five resettled communities in Ghana. We used mixed methods to analyse household and qualitative in-depth interviews with institutions. We found that while resettlement projects offer positive benefits, they also yield negative impacts on the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental aspects of the resettled population. It is therefore important that policymakers carefully review and systematically integrate these concerns into resettlement plans