Department of Nursing and Midwifery

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://ir.mug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/138

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    Barriers to timely administration of hepatitis B birth dose vaccine to neonates of mothers with hepatitis B in Ghana: midwives’ perspectives
    (SAGE Open Nursing, 2023-05-22) Adjei, Charles Ampong; Suglo, Damasus; Ahenkorah, Alfred Yanful; MacDonald, Shannon E.
    Background: The global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis aims to reduce new hepatitis B infections by 90% by 2030. Yet, hepatitis B birth dose (HepB-BD) vaccination, which is effective in preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, remains low in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the essential role that midwives play in infants’ birth dose immunisation, we explore their perspectives on the reasons for delays and non-administration of HepB-BD to eligible neonates in Ghana. Methods: We conducted interviews with 18 midwives, stratified by region (Greater Accra and Northern regions). Participants were selected purposively. The data were transcribed, coded, and analysed following the Braun and Clarke data analysis procedure. Results: The participants conveyed a broad range of barriers to HepB-BD vaccination in Ghana. These include the mother’s denial of hepatitis B seropositivity; the mother’s ignorance of the impact of hepatitis B on their newborn; partners’ noninvolvement in post-test counselling; and the high cost of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and hepatitis B monovalent vaccine. Other reasons included vaccine unavailability and midwives’ oversight and documentation lapses. Conclusion: We recommend educating expectant mothers on the importance and effectiveness of HepB-BD vaccination during antenatal care (ANC) visits, as well as educating midwives on HepB-BD vaccination procedures. In addition, ensuring sufficient supplies and administering hepatitis B vaccines in the delivery ward should be done to guarantee that babies receive the vaccines on time. Importantly, Ghana needs policies that require HepB-BD vaccination as part of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) to ensure the investments and funding it needs.
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    Exploring the challenges and roles of nurses in delivering palliative care for cancer patients and co-morbidities in Ghana
    (BMC Palliative Care, 2023-08-28) Appiah, Evans Osei; Awube, Menlah; Xu, Jiayun; Awuku, Adomaa Susana; Boateng, Susana Agyekum; Garti, Isabella; Kob, Pascal; Kumah, Joyce
    Background Patients sufering from chronic and life-threatening diseases receive inadequate palliative care in lowincome countries, eventually leading to poor quality of life for these patients. Little is known about the experience of delivering palliative care in a low-resource country such as Ghana in comparison to higher-income countries. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the roles and challenges of nurses providing palliative care services for patients with cancer and life-limiting conditions at tertiary Hospitals in Ghana. Methods Thirty oncology nurses at a tertiary Hospital in Ghana participated. All nurses were providing end-of-life care to patients with cancer. A qualitative exploratory-descriptive design and a semi-structured interview guide developed by the researchers were used. Interviews lasted on average forty minutes to 1 h were audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was carried out to generate themes and sub-themes. Findings Participants were between the ages of 25 and 40 years. A higher percentage of females (n=17, 57%) participated in the study than males (n=13, 43%). Two main themes were generated which were the delivery of palliative care and the provision of home care services. The current roles of nurses were centered around pain management, home care services, spiritual needs, and psychological care. Challenges that hindered the implementation of palliative care included distress over expected and unexpected patient mortality, difculty delivering bad news to patients and families, and frustration with health system resource shortages that negatively impacted patient care. Conclusion Palliative care is one of the essential services provided for patients with life-limiting conditions, and nurses play an active role in the provision of this care. Further research is needed to determine the most efective ways to deliver this care, particularly in developing nations like Ghana.
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