Breastfeeding challenges among adolescent mothers: a phenomenological study at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: The natural and best approach to give newborns the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development is through breast feeding. Breastfeeding rates fall more sharply with time for mothers under the age of 20 years. AIM: This study sought to explore the challenges experienced by adolescent mothers who visit the department of obstetrics and gynaecology of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana. METHOD: This study employed a qualitative phenomenology design and collected data from adolescent mothers. Data were gathered with the aid of a semistructured in-depth interview guide from 13 breastfeeding adolescent mothers. Data for the study were analysed using content analysis. The study was conducted at the obstetrics and gynaecology department of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana. FINDINGS: Two major themes were generated from the study to be the challenges that confront adolescent breastfeeding mothers, and they are maternal factors of breastfeeding barriers and societal factors of breastfeeding barriers. Subcategories were generated for both themes during the process. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Training of pregnant adolescents during antenatal care visits on how to manage the inability to lactate, breastfeeding stress, painful and sore nipple, engorged breast, stigma from society will lessen their burden. Furthermore, training close family members and friends on how to be kind and support adolescent mothers during breast feeding is important. In-service training should be organised for health workers to enhance their knowledge and practice of approaching and guiding adolescent mothers on effective breast feeding and the provision of cubicles in public places where adolescent mothers can comfortably breastfeed.

Challenges and support experienced by family caregivers seeking antiretroviral therapy services for children living with HIV/AIDS: a phenomenological study in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS in most cases are found to be overwhelmed and under-resourced, yet they are believed to be the primary source of support for children living with HIV/AIDS. Family caregivers experience different challenges that affect their children's antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. AIM: This study explored the lived experiences of family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS who sought ART services for these children at the St Joseph's Hospital of Jirapa, Ghana. METHOD: Using a qualitative phenomenology design and a semistructured in-depth interview guide and using purposive sampling, data were gathered from 13 family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS receiving ART treatment at St Joseph's Hospital, Jirapa following ethical approval. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcribed data. FINDINGS: Six themes were generated: five challenges and one support. Family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS experienced: (1) Financial challenges, (2) Human-related challenges, (3) Challenges at HIV testing and counselling (HTC) centres, (4) Challenges with transportation, (5) Challenges in disclosing children's HIV status to them and (6) Support received from HTC and their family members. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS experience daunting challenges in their quest to care for their children. Governmental and non-governmental HIV/AIDS programme support should include small business skills training and acquisition including capital to help set up small-scale businesses for such caregivers to reduce their financial challenges. Access to ART at clinics closer to caregivers is also key to promoting adherence. Family and community support has been recognised as key to enhancing ART adherence. Education of caregivers on policy regarding disclosure of the HIV/AIDS status of children, the need to work to reduce the time spent by caregivers at HTC, and ensuring privacy by limiting access to HTCs to only caregivers and their children, are important to enhancing adherence.

A phenomenological study of the beliefs of family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS on adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

AIM: To explore the beliefs of family caregivers on adherence to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) among children living with HIV/AIDS that received care at St. Joseph's Hospital, Jirapa, Ghana. DESIGN: A qualitative phenomenological design was employed for this study. METHOD: Data was gathered using a semi-structured in-depth interview guide from 13 family caregivers of children with HIV/AIDS on ART. Analysis was done using the reflexive thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: Three major themes were generated during the analysis: "Beliefs regarding the effectiveness of ART"; "Beliefs regarding taking ART"; and "Beliefs regarding other treatments for HIV/AIDS". Most caregivers believed that the ARTs were effective and improved their children's health, especially when adhered to strictly. Some, however, believed in praying to God for healing, and the use of local/herbal to augment ARTs. CONCLUSION: Family caregivers generally hold positive beliefs about ARTs and its effectiveness for their children. Some, however, believe in spirits, prayers, and herbal/local treatment in addition to ARTs.