Adjustment and coping in spousal caregivers of cervical cancer patients in Ghana: A qualitative phenomenological study.

Cervical cancer is a common and significant health issue for women worldwide. To address the dearth of research on male partners' experiences when their significant others are diagnosed with cervical cancer, we aim to explore the unique challenges and perspectives encountered by men in these circumstances. The study adopted interpretive phenomenological analysis to qualitatively assess the experiences of males with partners diagnosed of cervical cancer. A phenomenological research design with purposive sampling technique was used to recruit and collect data from 38 participants until saturation occurred. Face to face interviews were conducted using a developed semi-structured interview guide. The data collected was analyzed using content analysis after verbatim transcription was done. The study resulted in the identification of 2 main themes, and 10 subthemes. These themes focused on the multifaceted impact of cervical cancer on spousal caregivers' lives and the coping and support mechanisms utilized by spouses of cervical cancer patients. The findings indicated that men faced several challenging experiences as a result of their spouses' condition and revealed the strategies they employed to cope with the stress of caring for their wives. Almost every man adopted a strategy to cope with the condition of their wives. This study would assist other men to understand the psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual experiences the men went through to appreciate and adopt their coping strategies whenever they go through such challenges.

Antihypertensive use insights and experiences among hypertensive patients at Korle-Bu teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Across the globe, a vast number of people, amounting to 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years, suffer from hypertension. Two-thirds of them reside in low- and middle-income countries, and a significant 46% of these adults with hypertension are unaware of their condition. Hence the study aims to determine the Antihypertensive use insights and experiences among hypertensive patients at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory design was employed to recruit thirty 30 hypertensive patients from both male and female medical wards as well as the hypertensive clinic at the OPD of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The patients were selected using a purposive sampling technique, following which they were involved in face-face in-depth interviews which were audiotaped. Recorded data was then transcribed and analyzed with content analysis. FINDINGS: The analysis of the data resulted in three (3) main themes and 10 sub-themes. The study uncovered a general lack of knowledge about antihypertensive medications. This limited understanding resulted in a negative attitude among most patients toward the use of prescribed antihypertensive drugs. When it came to their experiences with antihypertensive medications, patients shared a wide range of experiences. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that there is a need to improve the knowledge and attitude of patients as these play pivotal roles in determining adherence levels. Thus, interventions such as the organization of educational programs and awareness creation is recommended to improve adherence level and in turn, decrease the prevalence of hypertensive complications associated with poor management.

Perceptions and attitudes toward partners support for cervical cancer screening among married men in Ghana.

OBJECTIVES: The majority of literature on cervical cancer (CC) and cervical cancer screening (CCS) focused on women all over the world. However, research has indicated that men's involvement in CCS can lead to improved health outcomes for women. Despite this, there is limited information available in the literature regarding men's attitudes toward CCS. This highlights the need for further study on the subject to increase understanding and improve outcomes. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the perceptions and attitudes toward partners' support for CCS among married men from the Adentan Municipality. STUDY DESIGN: An exploratory descriptive qualitative approach was used in the study to explore the perceptions of married men about male involvement in CCS. METHODS: Thirty-four married men were purposively selected to be part of the interviews. A semistructured interview guide was used to collect data, which were recorded. The tape-recorded data were reproduced verbatim, and content analysis was carried out to generate the themes and subthemes. RESULTS: Three themes and nine subthemes were constructed from the data analysis. The study revealed that the perceptions of males about cervical cancer had a positive or a negative influence on women's behaviors toward CCS. It was interesting that some men constantly reminded their wives to participate in CCS. However, some barriers to men's support included fear of trauma to the wife's vagina during screening and concerns about exposure to the wife's nakedness. CONCLUSION: It was therefore recommended that healthcare facilities should roll out sustainable programs and policies to involve men in CC prevention. In addition, health workers should devise innovative ways to make male involvement in CCS more attractive to men.

Innovations in healthcare delivery: Human papilloma virus self sampling diagnostics and participatory innovations for CCS.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major contributor to the development of cervical cancer, resulting in over 500,000 cases and 266,000 deaths annually worldwide. Previous cervical cancer screening programs have been successful in reducing cervical cancer rates, but have faced challenges such as low acceptance and adherence rates. Innovations in screening technology, such as the HerSwab self-sampling test, have the potential to increase awareness, acceptance, and participation in cervical cancer screening programs. AIM: This literature review examines the effectiveness of HerSwab and participatory innovations in increasing adherence to cervical cancer screening. METHOD: This manuscript comprised a comprehensive narrative literature review encompassing the years 2006-2022. The review process adhered to the PRISMA diagram as a guiding framework. Among the search terms utilized, a total of 200 articles were initially retrieved. However, after applying the predefined inclusion criteria, only 57 articles were included. RESULTS: The HerSwab self-sampling test is described, including how it is performed, challenges, and facilitators, and evaluation and assessment of its effectiveness. While the HerSwab diagnostic test is not currently widely available, studies should assess its feasibility in less developed countries where cervical cancer mortality rates are high. CONCLUSION: By increasing awareness and availability of innovative screening techniques, such as HerSwab, we can work toward reducing the incidence of cervical cancer and improving outcomes for women worldwide.

Hot fomentation of newborn fontanelles as an indigenous practice in Ghana: implications for policy and integrated community-based health care in Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

OBJECTIVE: African newborns undergo numerous traditional and religious practices ranging from fontanelle fomentation to total head shaving, scalp molding, skin scarification and ano-genital irrigation which can negatively impact the health of neonates. Hot fomentation of fontanelles has been a predominant indigenous home-based postnatal practice in Ghana and among Africans in the diaspora. Mobility restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted direct access to facility-based care as well as home care. The flourishing of newborn traditional practices among African populations during this Covid-19 pandemic offers opportunities to rethink the provision of family healthcare support for newborns during the ongoing pandemic and beyond. Hence, the aim of this critical review was to examine and describe a common indigenous practice-hot fontanelle fomentation to inform home birth support, discharge planning, and the delivery of optimal home-based care support. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a review of literature on hot fomentation of newborn fontanelles. METHODS: Literature search in CINAHL, PubMed, African Index Medicus and Scopus, was conducted and evidence synthesised from articles ranging from 1983-2022. Sixty articles were reviewed; however, 10 manuscripts were excluded prior to screening. The other 19 were exempted because they were either below 1983 or were not the best fit for the study purpose. In all, 31 studies were included in the study. The study was guided by Madeleine Leininger's Culture Care Diversity and Universality care theory. RESULTS: The current study identifies hot fomentation of newborn fontanelles practices in Ghana, the description of hot fomentation practices and the dangers associated with it. The findings and suggested ways to help overcome this challenge. CONCLUSION: There are several neonatal indigenous practices including fontanelle fomentation which pose threat to the health of the neonate as discussed in this study. Future research needs to investigate innovative ways of fontanelle fomentation where necessary instead of the use of hot water by mothers, especially in this Covid-19 pandemic where health and mobility restrictions impact physical access to timely health care. This research will help educate mothers about the dangers of fontanel fomentation and reduce the practice, especially in rural areas of developing countries. This could help reduce neonatal mortality and unnecessary healthcare costs.

Psychosocial experiences of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at a teaching hospital in Ghana.

Objectives: The number of people affected with COVID-19 keeps rising globally resulting in increasing fear and anxiety among patients and their families. However, literature on the psychosocial experiences of these patients with COVID-19 in Africa is limited. Hence, this research explored the psychosocial experiences of patients infected with COVID-19 and undergoing treatment. Methods: The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. The sampling technique chosen for this study was purposive with a sample size of 34 determined by data saturation. Participants were selected from Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana, and were interviewed face-face using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Two main themes and seven sub-themes were generated from this study. The two themes included emotional burden of COVID-19 patients and effects of COVID-19 on patients and relatives. Sub-themes formulated under the emotional burden were reactions to COVID-19 diagnosis, suicidal thoughts, and sadness by fear of the unknown. Social restriction/isolation, stigmatization and disclosure, effect of COVID-19, and positive attitudes of staff emerged under the effect of COVID-19 on patients and relatives. Conclusion: Even though the recovery rate of COVID-19 has improved since the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine, there is generally a global surge with respect to the incidence of the condition and an increasing number of patients on admission. Most interventions are targeted at the prevention of the disease than the effect of the psychosocial experience on the quality of life of the individuals affected which is equally essential. It is therefore recommended that current studies focus on improving the quality of life of those affected.

Ghanaian women's perception on cervical cancer threat, severity, and the screening benefits: A qualitative study at Shai Osudoku District, Ghana.

Objective: Cervical is one of the topmost causes of fatalities worldwide with mortality and incidence rates highest in sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana. The knowledge about cervical cancer threat and severity has not been extensively studied in most developing and developed countries of which Ghana is not exempted. The study, therefore, aimed to explore the views of women about cervical cancer threat, severity, and the benefits of cervical cancer screening in rural communities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Study design: Qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used to purposively sample 17 participants. Methods: The data collection tool was pretested among 4 women from women to ensure its trustworthiness. Participants were interviewed face to face using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were recorded with audio recorders, transcribed verbatim and content analyzed. Ethics approval was obtained from Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research Institutional Review Board (NMIMR-IRB). Results: Findings of this study discovered that participants perceived Cervical cancer (CC) as serious on the basis that it is causing death of most women and lead to depression, isolation and thoughts of suicide, and poor sexual performance. Almost all the women in this study were aware that cervical cancer screening (CCS) is beneficial in the early detection of cervical cancer and protecting women against cervical cancer in order to reduce the mortalities associated with cervical cancer. In conclusion, there is high perceived severity to CC and benefits of CCS and hence other studies could be done to assess the uptake of the screening and willingness to participate in the screening among these participants. It is expected that this high perceived severity and benefits will translate into their practices of CCS and hence other researchers could explore this phenomenon.

Experiences of women awaiting cervical CANCER screening results from selected hospitals in Accra, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: The rate at which cervical cancer is diagnosed among women worldwide is alarming, nevertheless, millions of women have never undergone cervical cancer screening, and many more with cervical cancer die prematurely without accessibility to quality healthcare or effective treatment. Women's experiences following cervical cancer screening have not been extensively studied especially in advancing countries like Ghana. Hence, the researchers aim to explore the experiences of women awaiting cervical cancer results at selected hospitals in Accra. METHODS: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative design was adopted to purposively sample 48 participants engaged in face-face in-depth interviews, which were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim after. The interviews were guided by semi-structured interviews. FINDINGS: The findings revealed 3 themes and 10 subthemes. The themes were pre-screening experience, intra-screening experience, and post-screening experience. Participants narrated the challenges they face before the screening, during the screening, and as they waited for their results to get ready. Despite some challenges reported, most of the participants indicated that they were willing to come for a retesting if recommended. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, participants who have undergone CCS have several experiences that may either motivate or discourage them from subsequent screening. Being aware of such experiences could help the nurses address them in order to increase the interest of the women in CCS.

"I Just Went for the Screening, But I Did Not Go for the Results". Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening and Vaccination among Females at Oyibi Community.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer screening and vaccination practices is reported to have  low coverage in most developing countries. It has been reported that most women are aware of cervical cancer screening and vaccination worldwide.  Nevertheless, the rate at which women participate in  cervical cancer screening and vaccination was found to be low both locally and internationally. Consequently, in sub-Saharan Africa, cervical cancer screening programs have poor coverage. The aim of this study was to explore the practices of cervical cancer screening and vaccination among females at Oyibi community. METHODS: The researchers employed a qualitative exploratory design to recruit 35 participants put into five Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).  Five FGDs were formed with seven (7) members in each group. The members were purposely recruited. The sample size was based on data saturation. Data was retrieved using a semi-structured interview guide. The researchers served as moderators in the group. RESULTS: Two (2) main themes with Eight (8) subthemes were generated from the data analysis. The themes were; (cervical cancer screening and vaccination practices), and (perceived benefits of cervical cancer screening and vaccination). The subthemes that emerged were as follows: types of cervical screening and vaccination done by participants, experiences during cervical cancer screening, experiences during cervical cancer vaccination, decision to go for cervical cancer screening and vaccination, willingness to recommend cervical cancer screening and vaccination to other women,  early detection of cervical cancer through early screening, benefits of cervical cancer vaccination, and willingness to receive cervical cancer vaccine. The study also revealed that most of the women who had done the screening and vaccination were young (19-29 years). CONCLUSION: The results from the study indicated that the participants' utilization of cervical cancer screening and vaccination were poor although they were conscious of the benefits of cervical cancer screening and vaccination and were willing to recommend it to their relatives and their loved ones. 
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Knowledge on cervical cancer screening and vaccination among females at Oyibi Community.

BACKGROUND: Awareness about cervical cancer screening and vaccination in the developed countries are high as compared to the developing countries. Sixty to eighty percent (60-80%) of the women who develop cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa live in the rural areas with inadequate awareness of cervical cancer screening. However, cervical cancer knowledge remained a significant direct predictor of screening behaviors. The study therefore aim to explore the Knowledge on Cervical Cancer Screening and Vaccination among females at Oyibi Community. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory design was employed to purposively recruit 35 participants who were made up of 7 members in a group forming 5 Focus Group discussions in all. Data was retrieved using a semi-structured interview guide. RESULTS: The study revealed two main themes with 7 subthemes. The two main themes were cervical cancer screening and vaccination knowledge and cervical cancer vaccination effectiveness and cost. The subthemes were; knowledge on cervical cancer screening types, knowledge about cervical cancer screening and vaccination centers, knowledge about how cancer screening is performed, knowledge about cervical cancer vaccination, cervical cancer screening and vaccination sources of information, knowledge about the effectiveness of cervical cancer vaccination and awareness about cervical cancer screening cost and vaccination cost. CONCLUSION: Ghanaian women are increasingly becoming aware of cervical cancer, nevertheless low knowledge on screening and vaccination of cervical cancer, and effectiveness was detected with high awareness about the screening and vaccination centers. There is therefore the need for heightened sensitization regarding cervical cancer screening and vaccination in rural communities to help reduce misconceptions and increase patronage rate.