Operationalization of the Ghanaian Patients’ Charter in a Peri-urban Public Hospital: Voices of Healthcare Workers and Patients

Background Health is a basic human right necessary for the exercise of other human rights. Every human being is, therefore, entitled to the highest possible standard of health necessary to living a life of dignity. Establishment of patients’ Charter is a step towards protecting the rights and responsibilities of patients, but violation of patients’ rights is common in healthcare institutions, especially in the developing world. This study which was conducted between May 2013 and May 2014, assessed the operationalization of Ghana’s Patients Charter in a peri-urban public hospital. Methods Qualitative data collection methods were used to collect data from 25 healthcare workers and patients who were purposively selected. The interview data were analyzed manually, using the principles of systematic text condensation. Results The findings indicate that the healthcare staff of the Polyclinic are aware of the existence of the patients’ Charter and also know some of its contents. Patients have no knowledge of the existence or the contents of the Charter. Availability of the Charter, community sensitization, monitoring and orientation of staff are factors that promote the operationalization of the Charter, while institutional implementation procedures such as lack of complaint procedures and low knowledge among patients militate against operationalization of the Charter. Conclusion Public health facilities should ensure that their patients are well-informed about their rights and responsibilities to facilitate effective implementation of the Charter. Also, patients’ rights and responsibilities can be dramatized and broadcasted on television and radio in major Ghanaian languages to enhance awareness of Ghanaians on the Charter

Experiences of Sickle Cell Patients in Ghana: A Qualitative Study at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra

Background: Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become sticky and sickle in shape. Statistics in Ghana showed in 2016 that the prevalence of sickle cell disease was about 25% with an estimated 2% of births, resulting in an approximate number of 15,000 babies born with the disease yearly. This study was aimed at finding out the experiences of sickle cell patients, the care they receive from family and healthcare providers, to gain insights into what can be done effectively by stakeholders to prevent and improve care. Methods: Qualitative methodology was employed with in-depth interview guide to collect data. Thirty-one participants consisting sickle cell patients, caregivers and healthcare providers were purposively selected at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for the study. Data were recorded, transcribed, coded and categorized into themes in tandem with the study objectives and analyzed using grounded theory principles. Results: Sickle cell patients have several experiences with ill-health, homecare, facility-care, socio-economic, psychological, and emotional issues, among other fears. Conclusion: Individuals with sickle cell disease are vulnerable, their care must therefore be of priority importance to the government and all stakeholders to alleviate their suffering

Does knowledge on socio-cultural factors associated with maternal mortality affect maternal health decisions? A cross-sectional study of the Greater Accra region of Ghana

Abstract Background The concern of all maternal health stakeholders is to improve maternal health and reduce maternal deaths to the barest minimum. This remains elusive in low and middle-income countries as the majority of factors that drive maternal deaths stem from the socio-cultural environment especially in rural settings. This study was aimed at finding out if knowledge on socio-cultural factors related to maternal mortality affects maternal health decisions in rural Ghana. Methods Community-based cross-sectional in design, the study involved 233 participants from 3 rural districts in the Greater Accra Region. Mixed-method of data collection was employed after informed consent. Quantitative data were analyzed using simple statistics, Fisher’s Exact Test of independence and crude odds ratio were used to interpret the results, whilst the FGDs were recorded, transcribed and analyzed based on themes. Results Statistically, significant relationship exists between all the socio-cultural factors studied (Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), religious beliefs and practices, herbal concoctions, and pregnancy and childbirth-related taboos) and maternal health decisions (p = 0.001 for all the variables) with very strong associations between maternal health decisions and knowledge on pregnancy and childbirth related taboos, TBA patronage, and religious beliefs and practices (OR = 21.06; 13; 7.28 respectively). However, misconceptions on factors associated with maternal mortality deeply rooted in rural communities partly explain why maternal morbidity and mortality are persistent in Ghana. Conclusion Meaningful and successful interventions on maternal mortality can only be achieved if misconceptions on causes of maternal mortality especially in rural areas of the country are tackled through mass education of communities. This should be done consistently over a long period of time for sustained behavioral change

A Return to the Ghanaian Cultural Values of Closed Fishing Season in Ghana’s Artisanal Marine Fishing: An Essential Means of Restoring Small Pelagic Fish Stocks

Closed fishing season for artisanal and inshore fishing is an effective management measure for restoring the fish stock. The study aimed at assessing the impacts of the closed fishing season observed in the Sekondi harbour in Ghana. The findings revealed that the one month closure period was too short and/or lack of strict supervision to realize any significant change in fish population and sizes. A more transparent discussion on the period for the closure, longer closure period up to three months as well as provision of alternative sources of livelihood were suggested to ensure more cooperation from the fisher folks

Management of Obesity in Ghanaian Children: Voices of Health-workers and Parents

Obesity has been described by the World Bank as a “ticking time bomb” which has significant potential devastating economic and health effects, for the poor, and low-and-middle-income country dwellers. However, obesity is thought of as a challenge only among the rich, urban, and high-income country inhabitants. This study was conducted in Ghana to gain in-depth understanding of the determinants and management of obesity in children among healthworkers and parents. A qualitative case-study in design, data were collected with an in-depth interview guide from five doctors, seven nurses and eighteen parents purposively selected from the paediatric department of the 37 Military Hospital. Recorded interviews were transcribed, coded manually, and analyzed using the principles of Grounded Theory. Obesity in children is on the ascendancy with inadequate management. Determinants are both familial and environmental with detrimental health and psychological consequences. Some healthcare providers need to be trained in the assessment, diagnosis, proper interpretation, and management of the condition. There is also the need for mass education of the public especially parents, by relevant stakeholders to reduce the incidence of obesity in children and its attendant problems in Ghana.&nbsp

Factors influencing long-term medication non-adherence among diabetes and hypertensive patients in Ghana: A qualitative investigation.

Evidence remains limited on why diabetes and hypertensive patients admitted to long-term drug therapy miss doses or discontinue medication taking. We examined this phenomenon from the perspective of diabetes and hypertension patients at a Ghanaian teaching hospital.Between July and December 2015, we conducted a qualitative study targeting caregivers and their patients with chronic diabetes and hypertensive on re-admission at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital due to non-adherence to prescribed medication. Participants were sampled purposefully and taking through in-depth interviews using an interview guide. Notes and audio recordings of interviews were transcribed, managed and coded for themes guided by the thematic network analysis recommended by Attride-Stirling.Non-adherence was the result of perceptions that the medications are not effective for managing the conditions. Patients with these perceptions rejected the medications and turned to herbal medicines and spiritual healing as therapeutic alternatives, because of their easy accessibility, perceived efficacy and affordability. Other factors identified to influence non-adherence included polypharmacy practice; tight work schedules; social norms; poor prescription instruction by health providers; and knowledge and experience of medication.Findings suggests the need for health providers to adopt therapeutic approaches that take into account patients' beliefs, values and norms in administering medications. Sensitisation of patients and caregivers during admission on the implication of non-adherence, as well as interventions that monitor and provide feedback mechanisms on patients' medication taking behaviour holds promise for maximising diabetes and hypertensive medication adherence

Operationalization of the Ghanaian Patients’ Charter in a Peri-urban Public Hospital: Voices of Healthcare Workers and Patients

Background Health is a basic human right necessary for the exercise of other human rights. Every human being is, therefore, entitled to the highest possible standard of health necessary to living a life of dignity. Establishment of patients’ Charter is a step towards protecting the rights and responsibilities of patients, but violation of patients’ rights is common in healthcare institutions, especially in the developing world. This study which was conducted between May 2013 and May 2014, assessed the operationalization of Ghana’s Patients Charter in a peri-urban public hospital. Methods Qualitative data collection methods were used to collect data from 25 healthcare workers and patients who were purposively selected. The interview data were analyzed manually, using the principles of systematic text condensation. Results The findings indicate that the healthcare staff of the Polyclinic are aware of the existence of the patients’ Charter and also know some of its contents. Patients have no knowledge of the existence or the contents of the Charter. Availability of the Charter, community sensitization, monitoring and orientation of staff are factors that promote the operationalization of the Charter, while institutional implementation procedures such as lack of complaint procedures and low knowledge among patients militate against operationalization of the Charter. Conclusion Public health facilities should ensure that their patients are well-informed about their rights and responsibilities to facilitate effective implementation of the Charter. Also, patients’ rights and responsibilities can be dramatized and broadcasted on television and radio in major Ghanaian languages to enhance awareness of Ghanaians on the Charter

Health-seeking behaviour among Ghanaian urban residents: A quantitative exploratory case study

Health seeking behaviour is important for personal and social reasons, and several health problems can be adequately treated if they are reported early for appropriate health intervention. We examined the health-seeking behaviour of residents of a suburb in the capital of Ghana, the point in ill-health that they seek healthcare, their first point of call for healthcare, and the determinants of choice of first point of call. Simple random sampling was used to select 316 eligible respondents. Quantitative data were collected with questionnaire and analysed with IBM SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics and Logistic regression were used to interpret the findings at 95% confidence intervals. Most respondents (50.6%) sought healthcare days to months after their first experience with ill-health, 15.5% sought healthcare when they were severely ill, and about 34% sought healthcare immediately they experienced ill-health. Most of the respondents’ (54.2%) first point of call for healthcare was self-medication with herbal sources or faith-based healing, and 45.8% sought attention from orthodox sources. Males were 1.97 times more likely than females; married individuals were 2.33 times more likely than the unmarried; and health insurance holders were 1.55 times more likely than the uninsured to use orthodox outfits as first point of call for healthcare. Healthcare stakeholders and policy makers need to intensify education on the need to seek orthodox healthcare in ill-health, encourage increased enrolment on the national health insurance scheme and strengthen social support systems that encourage good health-seeking behaviours

Characteristics of study participants.

<p>Characteristics of study participants.</p