Ghana medical journal最新文献

{"title":"Relationship between adiponectin and insulin resistance among a cohort of obese adolescents and young adults in a tertiary institution.","authors":"Okechukwu O Ezekpo, Segun A Atolani, Ejemhen A Ekhaiyeme, Olasoji I Ibidapo, Morenike B Kolapo, Cecilia K Okunlola, Chidiebere V Ugwueze","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.4","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To demonstrate the relationship between adiponectin and insulin resistance among adolescents and young adults.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A cross-sectional descriptive study.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>This study was conducted within a tertiary institution and the medical outpatient department (MOPD) of its adjourning tertiary health-care institution.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>The study was conducted among students of a tertiary institution and patients attending the ABUAD Multi-system Hospital, aged 16-24 years.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measure: </strong>The mean levels of serum adiponectin in obese adolescents and young adults and its relationship with clinical correlates of insulin resistance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean serum adiponectin level was 6.8 µg/ml, which is comparable to what has been obtained in other studies. Statistically non-significant negative correlations were noted between serum adiponectin and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), as well as with the clinical correlates of insulin resistance such as Body Mass Index and diastolic blood pressure.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrated no significant correlation between serum adiponectin and markers of insulin resistance among these participants and may not be a useful marker of insulin resistance among this group of individuals; hence, its routine measurement may not be appropriate. A follow-up study involving more obese subjects may, however, be more revealing.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 4","pages":"199-206"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877709/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the quality of life of caregivers of children with sickle cell disease in a secondary health facility in Ghana.","authors":"Samuel T Salamat, Haruna Mahama, John Asabi, Lydia Asante","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.6","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore the caregiving burden of caregivers of children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) to provide a foundation for policy interventions.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A qualitative study based on convenience sampling.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The Sickle Cell Clinic of the Paediatric Department of a secondary health facility.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Primary caregivers of children with SCD who had been attending the clinic for at least one year were included. Caregivers whose children had another chronic illness were excluded to avoid confounding. Eleven care-givers participated in the study.</p><p><strong>Interventions: </strong>No intervention.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>Caregiving burden among participants caring for children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The four main themes that emerged from the study were the financial, psychological, social, and physical burdens of caregiving. The financial and psychological burdens were noted to have the most substantial impact on their quality of life.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Addressing the needs of caregivers of children with SCD goes beyond financial support. Providing psychological interventions is crucial to alleviating the emotional burden of the disease on caregivers. The study revealed the multifaceted challenges faced by caregivers; hence, the need for a holistic approach to support families affected by SCD in Ghana.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 4","pages":"219-226"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877708/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiology and factors influencing visual outcome in paediatric ocular trauma at a tertiary health institution in Ghana.","authors":"Vera M Beyuo, Imoro Z Braimah, Benjamin Abaidoo, Akorfah Lassey, Vera A Essuman","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.2","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe the epidemiology of paediatric ocular trauma (POT) presenting at a tertiary health institution in Ghana and factors influencing visual outcome.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Prospective study.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Children aged 0-15 years presenting with trauma involving the globe and/or adnexa from January 2022 to February 2023.</p><p><strong>Interventions: </strong>Clinical management of ocular trauma.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>best-corrected visual acuity at 6 weeks, and factors influencing visual outcome.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significant proportion of children (59.2%) presenting with trauma were between ages 6-10 years (mean age 7.2±3.3 years), with the majority being male (70%). There was no caregiver at the time of injury in most cases (76%). Globe injuries were predominant (78.6%), and most (56.3%) were open globe injuries (OGIs). OGIs and organic objects as causes of injury were associated with unfavourable visual outcomes (p < 0.05). Early presentation, an inorganic object as the cause of injury, a favourable presenting visual acuity, a closed-globe injury, and a higher Paediatric Ocular Trauma Score (POTS) were associated with a favourable visual outcome. A third of children were blind (best-corrected visual acuity < 3/60) in the affected eye at follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Open globe injuries were the most common type of injury and often resulted in poor visual outcomes. Better public awareness, caregiver education, and adult supervision can help prevent these injuries.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 4","pages":"181-190"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877705/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mental health literacy among primary healthcare workers and its implications on detecting common mental health disorders across five geopolitical zones in Nigeria.","authors":"Joshua Falade, Usen J Silas, Olusola Falade","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.7","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine mental health literacy levels and their predictors among primary health care workers across Nigeria's five geopolitical zones, and to identify common patient presentations and rates of suspected psychological illness.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study using a census method.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The National Refresher Course Centre of the National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria, held at Wesley University, Ondo State.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>66 members of the National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Interventions: </strong>A semi-structured questionnaire to collect socio-demographic data and Focus Group Discussions were also conducted among Community Health Practitioners in each zone.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>Mental health literacy and the predictors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mental health literacy among primary health care workers was low, with only 12.1% demonstrating above-average knowledge, mainly associated with longer work experience and a family history of mental illness. Patients commonly presented with physical complaints and symptoms such as fever, headache, insomnia, weight loss, and weakness, while underlying mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders were often unrecognised. Routine mental health assessment was rare, and referrals to psychiatric services were infrequent, with most workers reporting only two to three referrals in the past year.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The mental health literacy of primary health care workers in Nigeria is critically low, highlighting an urgent need for extensive capacity building to improve the detection of psychological illness for comprehensive healthcare delivery.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 4","pages":"227-234"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877711/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk factors, treatment outcomes and predictors of death of newly diagnosed patients with venous thromboembolism in a quaternary hospital in Ghana.","authors":"Amoako Duah, Yvonne A Nartey, Kwame Ekremet","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.3","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, treatment outcomes and predictors of death of newly diagnosed patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A retrospective study.</p><p><strong>Settings: </strong>University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) Ltd, a 650-bed quaternary hospital located in Accra, Ghana.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>One hundred and eighty-six adult patients admitted with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE), confirmed by Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), from January 2022 to April 2024, were included in this study. All patients with a differential diagnosis of DVT or PE for whom confirmation by Doppler USG and CTPA could not be obtained were excluded.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measure: </strong>Risk factors, treatment outcomes and predictors of death of patients diagnosed with venous thromboembolism.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of study participants was 62.7 years (±15.5), and a slightly higher proportion were female (n=108, 58.1%). The mortality rate was 16.3%. Close to half of the patients (n=88, 47.3%) had a history of immobilisation as the predominant risk factor for VTE. On multivariate analysis, increasing age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.08), increasing urea level (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03 - 1.21) and presence of cancer (OR 6.02, 95% CI 0.003) remained significant predictors of mortality.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Immobilisation was the main risk factor for VTE in this study. In-hospital mortality was relatively high, with death in 1 in 6 patients diagnosed. Patients with advanced age, high urea and malignancy should be monitored closely and early aggressive treatment instituted to reduce mortality.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 4","pages":"191-198"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877713/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative analysis of the sexual function of Nigerians with type 2 diabetes and apparently healthy controls.","authors":"Olufemi O Oyewole, Ayotunde O Ale, Ayanbola I Adepoju, Grace M Emmanuel, Olatunde Odusan","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.10","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.10","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the sexual functioning of Nigerians with T2DM in comparison to healthy controls.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Comparative descriptive cross-sectional survey.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>A Consecutive sample of 210 adult Nigerians with T2DM and 121 without diabetes.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>Sexual functioning was assessed with the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants with diabetes had a higher prevalence of SD than those without diabetes (76.2% vs 34.7%). This remained unchanged when stratified by gender and sexual response cycles. Increasing age and female gender were significantly associated with SD among participants with diabetes. A one-year increase in age has 1.09 odds of increased SD among participants with diabetes (OR = 1.09, CI = 1.05 - 1.13), while the female participants demonstrated higher SD when compared with males, irrespective of diabetes status, [with diabetes (80.7% vs 65%) and without diabetes (60% vs 20.6%)]. They were also three times as likely to have SD as their male counterparts (OR = 3.39, CI = 1.59-7.24, p = 0.002).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>People with diabetes reported lower sexual functioning compared with those without diabetes, with a more than double the prevalence. Females had a higher prevalence of SD than males, irrespective of diabetes status, associated with age among participants with diabetes.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 4","pages":"251-259"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877704/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of knowledge and facility compliance with the WHO SAM Guidelines among health professionals in the Volta Region of Ghana.","authors":"Ruth Dormediame, Pearl Kudexa, Beth Offei-Awuku, Freda Intiful, Matilda Asante, Laurene Boateng","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.5","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose of this study was to assess health staff's knowledge and facility compliance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) treatment guidelines for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in selected hospitals in the <b>Volta Region</b> of Ghana.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>This study employed a cross-sectional design.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Three hospitals in the Volta Region of Ghana: Ho Municipal Hospital, Ho Teaching Hospital and Adidome Government Hospital.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>All health staff, including doctors, dietitians, nurses, and health assistants/health aides, involved in the treatment of SAM in the pediatric wards of the selected hospitals (70 in all).</p><p><strong>Main outcome measure: </strong>Health staff's training and knowledge of the WHO protocol for management of SAM, as well as their facility's compliance with the feeding aspect of the WHO protocol.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Majority of respondents (84%) had adequate knowledge of the WHO protocol, whilst only 37.1% graded their facilities as compliant with the feeding aspect of the WHO protocol. Less than half (41.4%) of participants received training on the WHO protocol for SAM management. There were significant associations between the training of participants on the WHO protocol and their knowledge of the WHO treatment guidelines, as well as the facility's compliance with the feeding aspect of the guidelines.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite adequate knowledge of the WHO SAM protocol among health professionals, the majority graded their facilities as non-compliant, highlighting the need for targeted training and institutional support to improve adherence and enhance SAM treatment outcomes in Ghana.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 4","pages":"207-218"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877712/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Post-market quality monitoring of medicines in Christian Health Association of Ghana health institutions.","authors":"Daniel K Arhinful, Peter Yeboah, James Duah, Maxwell A Antwi, Alex Attachey, Eric Karikari-Boateng, Alhassan M Awal, Tobias F Rinke de Wit, Irene A Kretchy","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i3.3","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i3.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the quality of selected frequently used medicines in CHAG facilities in a LMIC country setting.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Quality testing of collected samples of generic medicines in health facility pharmacies.</p><p><strong>Setting and participating facilities: </strong>The study evaluated the quality of 639 representative samples of 14 generic products using a TruScan Raman (RM) analyser and Minilab in 62 CHAG facilities across five administrative regions of Ghana.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 639 samples of various branded generics of the 14 product samples tested in the field using the Truscan RM analyser, 210 products (32.8%) failed the test. All samples from ceftriaxone injection 1 g, ciprofloxacin 500 mg, metronidazole 200 mg, and metformin 500 mg passed the Truscan RM test. High passes were also recorded for paracetamol 500 mg (96.6%), artemether/lumefantrine 80/480 mg (95.8%), and oral rehydration salts (94%). Conversely, all the forty-two (42) samples obtained and tested for flucloxacillin 250 mg failed the Truscan analyser test. Relatively high failures were also recorded for lisinopril 10 mg (90.5%) and albendazole 400 mg (89.8%). All samples submitted for secondary screening using Minilab analysis showed the presence of their respective active pharmaceutical ingredients as indicated on their respective labels.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Truscan/Minilab combination is reasonably affordable and efficient for undertaking post-market monitoring of the quality of essential medicines in Ghanaian health facilities. For future application of Truscan, a check of standard spectra is essential, and the choice of tracer medicines should include those with limited fluorescence materials in formulations and a relatively high percentage of active ingredients.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>This study was funded by Pharmaccess Foundation Ghana and the Netherlands.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 3","pages":"121-127"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12536573/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145351025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of errors in death certification and mortality patterns and trends among medical patients at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, 2019-2023.","authors":"Francis Agyekum, Isabella E Asamoah, Muhyideen Bashir, Nana A Asante, Khushali Ganatra, Fiifi Duodu, Florence K Akumiah, David Brodie-Mends, Kofi T Asamoah, Eugene B Ampofo, Alfred Doku","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i3.2","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i3.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study audited the Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) forms issued at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, assessing their accuracy, completeness, and consistency while analysing trends in mortality causes.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Retrospective review of completed MCCD forms.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Department of Medicine.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>All duplicate MCCD forms issued between January 1^st, 2019, and December 31^st, 2023, were included.</p><p><strong>Interventions: </strong>No intervention.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>Frequency of major and minor errors in completing the MCCD forms and leading causes of death in the department.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 4,544 MCCD forms audited, 4,460 (98.17%) contained errors. Major errors were observed in 4,028 (88.64%) forms; the commonest being incorrect reporting of the underlying cause of death (3,483; 76.65%). Minor errors were nearly universal (99.82%), with omission of the full address of the deceased (4,530; 99.69%) being most frequent. Over half of the recorded deaths each year were attributable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with cardiovascular-related conditions being the leading cause of death.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There was a high prevalence of errors in MCCD forms, highlighting the need for regular training of healthcare professionals to improve accuracy in death certification. Additionally, the high burden of NCD-related deaths emphasises the need to address modifiable risk factors, strengthen health systems, and foster multisectoral collaboration to mitigate the growing NCD epidemic.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 3","pages":"111-120"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12536572/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145350964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Promoting patient rights in nursing care in Ghana through the Caring Space Model.","authors":"Abukari Kwame","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i3.9","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i3.9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To explore patient rights outcomes in nurse-patient clinical interactions in the Yendi Hospital and promote patients' rights in Ghana using a proposed Caring Space Model.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>An ethnographic research design was implemented, and purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Data were gathered across nine inpatient units through in-depth individual interviews (n = 39), ethnographic participant observations (over 400 hours), and a focus group discussion from December 2021 to April 2022. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to explore participants' knowledge, experiences, and barriers to upholding patient rights in clinical interactions.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted in the Yendi Municipal Hospital.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Included Nurses (n=11), patients (n=21), and caregivers (n=11) who were 18 years of age or older and provided voluntary consent. Additionally, nurses must have at least three years of experience in a hospital setting.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study found that most patients and caregivers are unaware of the Ghanaian <i>Patients' Charter</i>. Nurses who were familiar with the <i>Charter</i> failed to educate patients and caregivers because they feared that doing so would cause undue stress. Poor patient rights outcomes were rooted in human and material resource constraints, affecting nurse-patient and nurse-nurse manager relationships. Patient rights education, transformative nursing leadership practices, and effective communication during clinical interactions can enhance patient rights and safety.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To promote patient-centred care, a model of the Caring Space has been developed to advance ethical nursing and caring practices that elevate patient rights in patient-provider clinical interactions.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong><b>No funding</b>.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 3","pages":"167-176"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12536569/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145351067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}