Going through treatment: experiences of women who sought assisted reproductive technology treatment in five selected hospitals in Ghana.

Using a qualitative approach, this paper explores the accounts of 30 women who accessed assisted reproductive technology treatment in five fertility hospitals in Ghana. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data on women's experiences of the procedure. Findings indicated that most of the women sought ART treatment to save their relationships from collapsing, with pressure and demands from friends and in-laws as key motivating factors. Women complained of emotional imbalance and the high cost of ART treatment. They felt compelled to borrow money from friends, family and banks and, sometimes sold assets to pay for treatment costs. Health consequences such as depression, changes in menstrual flow, weight loss, body pain, breast tenderness, bleeding and disruption to daily activities and sexual life were reported as problems encountered by the women. While study findings are supportive of the inclusion of infertility treatment in the national health insurance scheme, more adequate counselling and education for women undergoing ART treatment is required.

Factors associated with COVID-19 knowledge among Ghanaians: A national survey.

BACKGROUND: Adequate knowledge about COVID-19 in a population may be relevant in the fight to control its spread among the populace. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with real knowledge of COVID-19 among Ghanaians to promote effective dissemination of appropriate information aimed at containing the spread. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey and computer assisted telephone interviews (CATI) was conducted among Ghanaians aged 18 years and above across the 260 districts of Ghana. The survey assessed the level of knowledge of COVID-19 and its associated factors and compared differences between perceived and real knowledge. One district health promotion officer per district was trained for the data collection. Participants were recruited via use of phone directories of both organized and non-organized local district groups. Phone calls were made to randomly selected phone contacts to schedule options for participation in the study. We used multivariable logistic regression to investigate the associated factors of COVID-19 knowledge among respondents. RESULTS: Of the 2,721 participants who completed the survey, the majority (99.3%) were aware of the existence of the COVID-19 outbreak, had good knowledge on infection prevention (87.0%) and rated their knowledge about COVID-19 as good (81.7%). Factors associated with COVID-19 knowledge were: age ≥56 years (aOR = 0.5; CI: 0.3-0.8; p = 0.002), tertiary education (aOR = 1.8; CI: 1.2-2.6; p = 0.003), residing in Greater Accra region (aOR = 2.0; CI: 1.1-3.6; p = 0.019), not infected with the novel coronavirus (aOR = 1.5; Cl: 1.0-2.1; p = 0.045), knowing an infected person (aOR = 3.5; CI = 1.5-7.9; p = 0.003), good practice of effective preventive measures (aOR = 1.2: Cl: 1.1-1.5: 0.008), not misinformed (aOR = 0.7; Cl: 0.5-0.9; 0.015), and perceiving spreading speed of the virus as slow (aOR = 0.7; Cl: 0.5-0.9; 0.007). CONCLUSION: The study found good knowledge regarding COVID-19, control measures, and preventive strategies. The Ghana Health Service should continuously provide accurate information to educate the media and citizens to prevent misinformation, which is vital in stopping the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Transition to motherhood following the use of assisted reproductive technologies: Experiences of women in Ghana.

As a result of the significance of childbearing in the Ghanaian culture, couples would go to all lengths to have biological children. One of the means that has made it possible for childless couples to have children is through the use of various assisted reproductive technologies. Using a qualitative research design, the paper explores the experiences of 40 women who have delivered following the use of assisted reproductive technology in Ghana. A semi-structured interview guide was utilised to explore women's experiences and results were analysed thematically. The study revealed that childless women faced hostile treatment but the birth of a child ceased the hostility, giving couples social recognition. The study also revealed that the transition to motherhood is characterised by excitement, high self-esteem, recognition and acceptance into spouses' families. It was a source of anxiety for other women due to society's perception of children born following the use of assisted reproductive technologies. However, women perceived that having a second or third child could change society's perception about the use of assisted reproductive technologies to have children. Based on these assumptions, there is a need for public education to change the societal perception about women who utilise assisted reproductive technologies to meet their parenthood desires as well as children who are born following the use of assisted reproductive technologies.

Addressing community-level stigma toward key populations: communication insights from action research in Ghana.

Background: Global HIV response emphasises improving the uptake of HIV testing, providing access to antiretroviral therapy and sustaining viral suppression with a view to curtailing the pandemic by 2030. Stigma and discrimination impede this response by limiting engagement with the HIV continuum among sub-populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW). Stigma reduction strategies that explore community-level solutions and barriers to care for these key populations are under-explored. Methods: A formative action research study was conducted in two regions of Ghana to understand community perceptions towards MSM and FSW to identify potential stigma reduction concepts. Multi-day interactive enquiries explored factors underlying stigma including rationale, personal values, perspectives on attitudinal change and related communication. Results: Rationale for stigmatisation of MSM and FSW by participants highlight religious and cultural concerns. Perceived behaviours and practices of MSM and FSW were said to undermine religious, moral and community values. Attitudes of participants towards MSM and FSW became more accepting through critical discussion that revealed contradictions within the stigma construct and discomfort with the effects of stigma. Conclusions: Participants realised that causing hurt or harm to others through stigma was not consistent with their religious and cultural values, nor how they saw themselves as people. There were four entry points that undermined the rationale for stigma: The need to know and understand 'the other', the need to be true to one's moral values, the need for empathy towards others, and recognition of the value of all people within a communal whole. These findings are relevant for engaging communities in stigma-reduction programs and improving health-seeking and adherence to care among key populations in similar African settings.

Addressing community-level stigma toward key populations: communication insights from action research in Ghana

Background: Global HIV response emphasises improving the uptake of HIV testing, providing access to antiretroviral therapy and sustaining viral suppression with a view to curtailing the pandemic by 2030. Stigma and discrimination impede this response by limiting engagement with the HIV continuum among sub-populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW). Stigma reduction strategies that explore community-level solutions and barriers to care for these key populations are under-explored. Methods: A formative action research study was conducted in two regions of Ghana to understand community perceptions towards MSM and FSW to identify potential stigma reduction concepts. Multi-day interactive enquiries explored factors underlying stigma including rationale, personal values, perspectives on attitudinal change and related communication. Results: Rationale for stigmatisation of MSM and FSW by participants highlight religious and cultural concerns. Perceived behaviours and practices of MSM and FSW were said to undermine religious, moral and community values. Attitudes of participants towards MSM and FSW became more accepting through critical discussion that revealed contradictions within the stigma construct and discomfort with the effects of stigma. Conclusions: Participants realised that causing hurt or harm to others through stigma was not consistent with their religious and cultural values, nor how they saw themselves as people. There were four entry points that undermined the rationale for stigma: The need to know and understand 'the other', the need to be true to one's moral values, the need for empathy towards others, and recognition of the value of all people within a communal whole. These findings are relevant for engaging communities in stigma-reduction programs and improving health-seeking and adherence to care among key populations in similar African settings