Nurses' Training College, Ho

Cervical cancer screening remains vital in the early detection of precancerous lesions and promotes better treatment outcomes. Though evidence suggested multiple sexual partners and HIV infection as risk factors for cervical cancer, limited studies have investigated how multiple sexual partners and HIV infection impact cervical cancer screening in Ghana. Therefore, this study assessed the association of multiple sexual partnership and HIV testing on cervical cancer screening among Ghanaian women of reproductive age. The study utilized data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. A weighted representative sample of 15,014 women from the 16 regions of Ghana was used for the analysis. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's Chi-square and multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) at 95% Confidence Intervals were presented from the multivariable logistic regression. The prevalence of cervical cancer screening was 5.0%. We found lower odds of cervical cancer screening with multiple sexual partners at the bivariate level [aOR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.52-0.90], but no association was found in the multivariable model. On the other hand, women who had ever tested for HIV [aOR=4.73, 95% CI:3.39-6.59] were more likely to screen for cervical cancer than those who had never tested. This was still significant after adjusting for covariates [aOR=2.47, 95% CI:1.61-3.80]. The study highlights the influence of multiple sexual partners and HIV testing on cervical cancer screening uptake among women of reproductive age in Ghana. Though the study found no significant association between multiple sexual partners and cervical screening uptake, HIV testing was a predictor of cervical cancer screening among women in Ghana. We recommend continued creation of awareness of cervical cancer screening among women of reproductive age.

This study was necessary to address the evident gap in critical care skills and support systems specific to this facility. At Gushegu Municipal Hospital, the effectiveness of critical care management heavily depends on the knowledge and skills of nurses, who play a crucial role in determining patient outcomes. A concurrent triangulation mixed-methods design was employed to integrate findings. Quantitative data were collected from 133 nurses using a validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.8), while qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 5 purposively selected ICU nurses. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 29, and qualitative data underwent thematic analysis using NVivo version 12. The demographic profile of the quantitative sample revealed that 72% of respondents were female, with a mean age of 34 years (SD = 6.2), and an average of 5.1 years (SD = 2.8) of professional nursing experience. Quantitative findings indicated that only 48% of nurses demonstrated adequate knowledge of critical care protocols, with particular challenges in ECG interpretation (only 42% confident) and complex patient assessments (55%). The qualitative analysis identified three core themes: Knowledge Gaps and Training Needs — highlighting deficiencies in critical care skills and a desire for ongoing professional development. The findings underscore the urgent necessity for systemic interventions to bridge knowledge gaps, enhance resource availability, and foster a supportive work environment.

Malaria is classified as either uncomplicated (UM) or severe (SM), but the mechanism underlying the progression from uncomplicated to severe is still unclear. This study aimed to assess haematologic and biochemical parameters as potential prognostic biomarkers for differentiating SM from UM in a Ghanaian population. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to sample 166 participants, comprising 42 healthy controls, 78 uncomplicated malaria cases, and 46 severe malaria cases. Blood samples were analysed for full blood count, liver function test, renal function test, and serum angiopoietins. Statistical analyses were carried out using GraphPad Prism 9 software. Median and interquartile ranges, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis analysis were done to compare groups. The haemoglobin and platelet counts of SM patients were significantly lower than those of the UM group (p < 0.05). However, the White Blood Cell (WBC) counts of severe malaria patients (7.4, IQR: 5.4 - 10.6) were significantly higher than the uncomplicated malaria population (5.7, IQR: 5.0 - 6.5) (p < 0.001). Serum levels of bilirubin (total and direct), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total proteins in severe malaria were significantly higher than uncomplicated malaria group (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that haemoglobin, platelet, creatinine, urea, AST, ALT, GGT and bilirubin levels may serve as biomarkers for distinguishing severe from uncomplicated malaria.

ObjectivesWomen experiencing infertility employed various coping strategies to overcome the diverse stressors encountered. These coping strategies had their peculiar consequences or outcomes. This study aimed to explore the outcomes deduced from the coping strategies employed by women with infertility.DesignThe study employed a qualitative descriptive research design to gain an in-depth understanding of the outcomes of coping strategies used by women with infertility. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide.Settings and participantsThe study was carried out at a private fertility and specialist hospital within the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, where 15 women diagnosed with primary infertility were interviewed for 45 min to 1 hour each. With all participants completing the study, interviews were audiotaped with consent, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis.ResultsThe findings revealed that women with infertility used various coping strategies to mitigate the psychosocial stressors encountered. The coping strategies employed had a varying impact on the well-being of women with infertility, from long-term (physical health, mental health and life satisfaction) to short-term (composure and reduced state anxiety) coping outcomes. The result of the coping strategy employed had a varying impact on the well-being of women with infertility.ConclusionWomen with infertility shared how they experienced good physical health, mental health and life satisfaction after employing adaptive coping strategies like seeking social support. They also shared how they exercised composure and had reduced state anxiety after using some maladaptive coping strategies, such as self-control and avoidance.

Abstract Introduction Globally, there is growing concern about the predictive validity of standardised examinations. Admissions into nursing and midwifery training colleges in Ghana rely on the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), selection interviews, and non-meritocratic considerations – the controversial influence of ‘protocol’. The WASSCE scores appear to be the first criterion for assessing applicants’ competencies despite growing evidence questioning their validity. This necessitates evidence-based evaluation of the competencies of applicants. Objective The study aimed to assess differential competencies in five domains (foundational knowledge, subject-specific mastery, real-world application, general aptitude, and communication) among nursing/midwifery applicants from diverse academic backgrounds. The study also explored the predictive capacity of WASSCE scores and school backgrounds on subject-specific performance. Method In this cross-sectional study, we assessed 469 nursing school applicants in Ghana using stratified random sampling. Trained examiners scored the applicants on the five competency domains using a standardised instrument. We conducted analyses that included descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and linear regression, taking into account the sampling weights. The instrument demonstrated excellent reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = .96). Results The analysis shows that traditional indicators such as WASSCE scores, school grades, and the type of school attended did not predict performance effectively (all p > 0.05, R² < 0.01). The sample showed two critical and statistically significant differences: a strong gender imbalance (90.2% female, p < 0.001) and dominance of General Arts (60.3%) over Science (9.4%, p < 0.001), with Science applicants outperforming their Arts counterparts in foundational knowledge. The only statistically significant predictor was age, with older candidates performing worse (β = -0.174, p < 0.001). Most importantly, all groups demonstrated inadequate competency, with mean scores of 0.71 to 1.08 out of 2.00 in every domain. Conclusion This study shows that the WASSCE score and the school tier of students applying for nursing and midwifery programmes are ineffective in predicting foundational knowledge and practical skills of students. The study recommends changes to the methods used to admit nursing students in Ghana. We suggest including standardised assessments based on competencies to reduce the negative impact of examination malpractice and non-meritocratic “protocol” admissions.

Abstract Introduction: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition resulting from an uncontrolled immune response to infection, leading to organ dysfunction and high mortality rates. In critically ill patients, early recognition and prompt management are crucial for improving outcomes. Despite advancements in critical care, delays in sepsis identification and treatment remain a significant challenge in healthcare settings. Aim: This study explores nurses’ perspectives on sepsis recognition and management in critically ill patients. Design: A qualitative descriptive research design was employed. Method: Fourteen nurses were purposively recruited from a public university medical center in Ghana. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in March 2023, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Five main themes and 15 sub-themes emerged from the analysis. The main themes included: ‘Sepsis Recognition by ICU Nurses,’ ‘Interpreting Clinical Indicators,’ ‘ICU Nurses’ Attitudes Towards Recognition and Management of Sepsis per Standard Protocol,’ ‘Effective Management of Sepsis in the ICU,’ and ‘Barriers to Effective Sepsis Management.’ Conclusion: ICU nurses in Ghana possess foundational knowledge of sepsis but encounter challenges due to inconsistencies in clinical assessment and adherence to protocols. Strengthening training, implementing structured sepsis protocols, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration are essential for improving sepsis management. Future research should focus on targeted interventions to address these gaps and enhance patient outcomes.

Introduction: In a globalised world where healthcare providers are increasingly coming into contact with patients from diverse language backgrounds, communicating effectively in the patient’s language is essential. Considering that French-speaking countries border Ghana, including French language competency will not only enhance the care of patients but also increase the employability of health professionals in French-speaking countries. This notwithstanding, the plausibility of integrating French into the nursing and midwifery education remains underexplored. Objective: This study seeks to address this gap by assessing nursing and midwifery students’ proficiency in French, exploring their attitudes towards integrating the French language into the curriculum, and examining the effectiveness of instructional methods and assessment techniques used in French language courses. Methods: The study employed the descriptive cross-sectional design using the multi-stage sampling technique to select 400 nursing and midwifery students from 8 of Ghana’s 15 regions. A structured online questionnaire (response rate: 81.5%, 326/400) was used for data collection, after which descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis using IBM’s SPSS software. Results: Students reported low French language proficiency with mean scores for speaking (M=2.42, SD=1.05), comprehension (M=2.40, SD=1.06), and writing in French (M=2.36, SD=1.11). These notwithstanding, respondents agreed on the curricular relevance of French (M=3.48, SD=1.14) and expressed willingness to learn (M=3.33, SD=1.13). Interactive methods (for instance, student participation: M=3.69, SD=1.06; multimedia: M=3.46, SD=1.24) and varied end-of-semester examinations (M=3.53, SD=1.15) were positively rated, even though improvements were required in practical skills. Conclusion: Even though students recognize French for career advancement, there remain proficiency gaps and anxiety about practical language use. This could be bridged through prioritizing immersive clinical scenarios, standardized proficiency benchmarks, and institutional investments in language labs or trained tutors.

ABSTRACTBackgroundWorkplace bullying is an important issue confronting the nursing profession, with victims described as being part of an oppressed group. The number of attacks and acts of violence that staff direct at each other in the workplace is alarmingly high and cannot be ignored.AimThis study assessed the prevalence and impact of workplace bullying of nurses by other nurses among those working in three major hospitals in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana.MethodsData for this study were collected from Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale Central Hospital, and Tamale West Hospital using a descriptive cross‐sectional multi‐facility study design with a quantitative approach to data collection. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to recruit 338 nurses from the three hospitals. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, following approval from the Tamale Teaching Hospital Research and Development Unit and the Northern Regional Health Directorate, from January 2022 to March 2022. Stata for Windows V16.0 was used to analyse the data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the factors associated with the prevalence of perceived workplace bullying among nurses. Confidence intervals were computed at a 95% confidence level, and a p‐value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe majority of respondents (85.5%) indicated they had observed workplace bullying before, and 50.6% had witnessed the bullying of a nurse by another nurse. A little over one‐third had been victims of workplace bullying. Females constituted a higher proportion of both the perpetrators (53.0%) and the main targets (80.2%) of workplace bullying. Additionally, 34.6% reported having the intention to travel abroad to practise nursing as a result of observing bullying or being victims themselves. Multivariable analysis showed that the odds of experiencing workplace bullying were 63% lower among nurses working in the surgical ward compared to those in the Outpatient Department (AOR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.15–0.91, p = 0.030).ConclusionThis study revealed that workplace bullying is prevalent among nurses in the three main hospitals within the Tamale Metropolis. Most respondents had witnessed workplace bullying, and a little over one‐third had been victims themselves. Workplace bullying is a measurable issue that negatively affects nurses' mental health and job performance. Therefore, nursing leaders should organise regular sensitisation programmes to raise awareness of the impact of workplace bullying. Additionally, hospital management should encourage nurses to report instances of bullying, establish disciplinary committees to address such cases, punish offenders, and protect those who witness or are victims of bullying.