Alberta Nsemo - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Alberta Nsemo

International Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 2019

Continuing professional development (CPD) is a key aspect of any profession and fundamental to th... more Continuing professional development (CPD) is a key aspect of any profession and fundamental to the development of a nation. The Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Program (MCPDP) as it is known in the nursing profession in Nigeria is aimed at sustaining capabilities and introducing new skills for modern day practice needs. It also offers the prospect for nurses to improve and broaden their knowledge, expertise and develop the personal and professional qualities. This study analysed the experiences of nurses, both participants and facilitators of MCPDP during the 34th session of the MCPDP in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. A sequential explanatory mixed method design was adopted for the study. All the eighty nurses in attendance participated in the study. A self-developed semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the quantitative data. Qualitatively, eight participants and two facilitators were selected for in-depth interviews. The findings revealed that 18.9% of the respondents attended the MCPDP for license renewal, 18.9% attended to update their knowledge on current practices, while 59.5% attended for both purposes. The challenges in attending MCPDP were lack of time 24.6%, lack of relief staff 23.3%, and high cost of MCPDP registration 20.9%. Organizational challenges included lack of finance due to low turnout of participants. Majority of the participants expressed willingness to participate in MCPDP in the future, while the few retired ones expressed having no need for MCPDP afterwards. The study disclosed that the existing approach for the program may require some form of adjustment so as to meet participants' and facilitators' needs. It was therefore recommended that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria should review the program structure and organisation.

Journal of Nursing & Healthcare, 2016

Background: It is the right of every patient to receive necessary care appropriately, safely, and... more Background: It is the right of every patient to receive necessary care appropriately, safely, and at the right time. However nurse shortages cause omission of less critical nursing tasks by nurses. The aims of the study were to examine the nature and prevalence of missed care; and to assess relationship between missed care and selected care outcomes. Methods: Mixed method was used (descriptive and intervention) to collect data from186 nurses providing direct adult care in 4 hospitals, and 120 patients/relatives. Ethical clearance was obtained from the HREC of Cross River State Ministry of Health. Nurses identified activities omitted in part or whole, or delayed in the previous seven days from a validated list of required care activities. Intervention comprised capacity building on certain care issues. Data were collected through researcher-developed and validated questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used analyse data on SPSS 18.0. Results: Most nurses (83.9%) ...

Acta Scientific Women's Health, May 1, 2022

Midwifery is a practice-based discipline, therefore learning experiences in the clinical setting ... more Midwifery is a practice-based discipline, therefore learning experiences in the clinical setting are integral to the preparation of registered midwives. Preceptors are experienced nurses and midwives who work in a variety of clinical and academic settings. They are assigned to a new or a novice midwife to guide them through an orientation process and a transition to their new role. Hence, their primary responsibility to the midwifery student in the clinical setting is to provide meaningful and relevant learning experiences. This study sought to examine student midwives' knowledge and perspectives of the role of the preceptor as well as the challenges faced by the students in Koforidua and St. Patricks Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges, Eastern and Ashanti Regions of Ghana. Social learning theory was used to guide the study. The study utilized the descriptive survey design with simple random sampling to get information from 269 second and third-year midwifery students from both schools using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 22 and presented in frequency tables and Bar charts. The study findings revealed the majority of midwifery students (60.0%) have knowledge of the preceptorship and encounters preceptors during their clinical work. Most of them (57.3%) perceived that it is the role of a preceptor to help them bridge the gap between classroom and clinical areas. Majority (68.8%) of the student midwives expectations of their preceptors was to help them develop midwifery skills and knowledge. They however faced some challenges with the preceptors in the course of the clinical practice such as lack of student-preceptor relationship, unavailability and inaccessibility of some preceptors, inadequate time to spend with the preceptors and inadequate supervision form preceptors during clinical practice. The study concluded that preceptorship might be a new concept in midwifery education, it is a module that is known to most students and is perceived as an integral part of their training. Based on the findings, the recommendations included Training of more clinical preceptors on their roles for improvement of students' clinical learning outcome among others.

Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, 2013

Background: The goal of roll back malaria partnership is to achieve universal coverage for all po... more Background: The goal of roll back malaria partnership is to achieve universal coverage for all populations at risk using appropriate interventions for prevention and case management. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and other anti-vector measures among pregnant women in an area hyper-endemic for malaria. Materials and Methods: Questionnaires were administered to a cross-section of 832 consecutive pregnant women attending antenatal care in three hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria that have high client flow for maternity services. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics by means of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the women was 33.2 ± 2.9 (range: 15-45) years. Three hundred and fifty nine (43.1%) women owned insecticide treated nets (ITNs), however 325(90.5%) slept under the nets during the index pregnancies; equivalent to 39.1% utilization rate among the 832 women studied. Out of the 325 (39.1%) women that used ITNs; 236 (28.4%) used it singly, while 89 (10.7%) used it in combination with other anti-vector measures. Educational status and social class of the women had strong association with the use of ITNs (P < 0.0001). Women who used ITNs were significantly less likely to have acute malaria, anaemia and babies with low birth weight than women who did not use ITNs (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of ITNs is poor among pregnant women in Enugu, but associated with favorable maternal and feto-neonatal outcome. Future measures to increase its use should consider improvement in educational level and social class of our women.

International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health, 2017

Background: Adolescence represents one of the critical transitions in life and is characterized b... more Background: Adolescence represents one of the critical transitions in life and is characterized by a tremendous pace in growth and changes. Despite the fact that menstruation is a healthy biological process, the issue of menstruation is approached with hesitance and wrong information because of deep-rooted cultural taboos. Objectives: (1) The objective of this study was to assess the status of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls, (2) to elicit the rituals and restrictions during menstruation, and (3) to study the common problems related to menstruation. Materials and Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted among schoolgoing adolescent girl students in rural Mangalore, 116 girls participated in the study. Data were collected by interview method using a predesigned semi-structured questionnaire to obtain information on menstrual hygiene practices, restrictions and common problems during menstruation. Results: Only 68.1% of the study participants perceived menstruation as a normal body process and 55.2% of girls had knowledge about the importance of menstrual hygiene. More than half of the participants believed that sanitary pads are ideal to be used during menstruation, but only 30.2% of them used only sanitary pads. Majority of them (55.2%) reported that they have restrictions during menstruation. Pain abdomen (64.7%) was a common problem during menstruation, others being head ache, back ache, weakness, and feeling sad. Conclusion: The need of the hour is adolescent girls to have accurate and adequate information about menstruation and menstrual hygiene.

This study was aimed at assessing the perception of pregnant teenagers of focused ante natal care... more This study was aimed at assessing the perception of pregnant teenagers of focused ante natal care (FANC) and their challenges in accessing care in Suntreso government hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. A cross sectional descriptive survey design was utilized whereby a purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 50 pregnant teenagers who met the inclusion criteria. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was employed to obtain information from the study participants after obtaining due consents. Obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Majority ended at the junior high school level 30(60%); 44(88%) not married; majority 40(80%) started attending FANC in their first trimester; 24(48%) were students; 22(44%) earned 6-10 Ghc a day and 20(40%) of them were responsible for their healthcare. Distance 18(36%) and finance 18(36%) influenced their decision to attend FANC. On the whole, only 22(44%) had good perception of interpersonal care, 18(36%) of staff efficiency, 25(50%) of comfort with care, 34(68%) of information they received, and 21(42%) of service environment. Those with strong family support, married and with higher income had good perception of ANC services. Stressful service environment 46(92%) and dissatisfaction with services rendered rated very high 30(60%) among the challenges faced by pregnant teenagers in accessing FANC services. Short waiting time 50(100%), availability of staff 50(100%) and good healthcare providers' attitude 40(80%) were rated highest among the respondents' opinion on measures to improve access to ANC services. The study recommended a user friendly healthcare environment through the provision of a separate space for pregnant teenagers and retraining of care providers with emphasis on care of teenagers among others.

Middle Eastern Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the perception, experiences and challenges of online and virt... more Purpose: This study aimed to assess the perception, experiences and challenges of online and virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic among student midwives of the Garden City University College, Kumasi, Ghana. Approach/Methodology/Design: The study adopted a descriptive quantitative design which was achieved by the administration of questionnaires through google forms to 158 respondents. A systematic sampling technique was employed to select the participants. Data were coded and entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 and MS. Excel for analysis. The technology acceptance model was used to direct the study. Findings: The study revealed that 51.3% of respondents perceived online and virtual learning to be useful and effective, 41.8% stated they were comfortable with the use of online and virtual learning platforms and tools. 44.3% of the participants were satisfied with the virtual learning, 50.6% stated that their experience with online and virt...

Medical research archives, 2021

In Ghana, abortion-related mortality is considered a major public health issue that needs to be a... more In Ghana, abortion-related mortality is considered a major public health issue that needs to be addressed. Midwives have been trained to safely and effectively provide post-abortion care in the country, yet the expected decline in maternal deaths from abortion complications especially in the rural settings is yet to be realized. Primary Healthcare (PHC) facility is the first point of contact for the rural populace, yet there is minimal evidence on the capacity of midwives serving there to provide post-abortion care. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of post abortion care among midwives in selected primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Ashanti region of Ghana. A cross sectional descriptive survey design was utilized for the study, and a multi-staged sampling technique was used to select 16 PHCs comprising both government (11) and private (5) owned, from which 112 participants were recruited. A pre-tested structured, self-developed questionnaire was employed to obtain in...

Discussions on fertility behaviour and population control policies have focused exclusively on th... more Discussions on fertility behaviour and population control policies have focused exclusively on the behaviour of females, and often target women for change while disregarding the role of the males. The inability of the national population policies to address this while at the same time encouraging patriarchal family system for the stability of the home seems to support this neglect. This study thus, examined male role and other determinants of fertility behaviour in Calabar and Oban areas of Cross River State, Nigeria. It focused on type of marriage preferred, educational attainment, decision on children marriage and socioeconomic determinants as they influence marital values. A simple random technique was used to select a sample of 500 respondents from the two areas (Calabar and Oban) a well structured questionnaire was used as instrument for collecting data while descriptive statistics and percentage analysis were used to analyse the data. Findings reveal that a higher percentage of male favoured polygamy, that low educational attainment, socioeconomic and parental decision on children marriage justifies male role on fertility and marital values. It was recommended among others that adequate attention be paid to male role, if fertility control policies are to be realized; that adequate education and enlightenment be located to both the educated and non-educated populace, that child early marriage be controlled, the consents of the children to be so involved in the marriage should be taken into consideration since they are to be directly involved in this marriage adventure.

African Journal of Biomedical Research, 2020

This study aimed to assess the perception of pregnant teenagers of focused ante natal care (FANC)... more This study aimed to assess the perception of pregnant teenagers of focused ante natal care (FANC) and their challenges in accessing care in Suntreso government hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. A cross sectional descriptive survey design was utilized whereby a purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 50 pregnant teenagers who met the inclusion criteria. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was employed to obtain information from the study participants after obtaining due consents. Obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Majority ended at the junior high school level 30(60%); 44(88%) not married; majority 40(80%) started attending FANC in their first trimester; 24(48%) were students; 22(44%) earned 6-10 Ghc a day and 20(40%) of them were responsible for their healthcare. Distance 18(36%) and finance 18(36%) influenced their decision to attend FANC. On the whole, only 22(44%) had good perception of interpersonal care, 18(36%) of staff efficiency, 25(50%) of comfort with car...

As the largest group of health care professionals, nurses are in a nodal position to ensure achie... more As the largest group of health care professionals, nurses are in a nodal position to ensure achievement of healthcare goals. Transforming Care at the Bedside (TCAB) is a global initiative whereby nurses implement innovative practices for patient satisfaction. However, the initiative has not been the focus of studies in Nigeria. This study examined TCAB practices among nurses in four hospitals in Southern Nigeria; and determined the effectiveness of capacity building on selected TCAB activities and outcomes. Triangulation (observation, descriptive and quasiexperimental) design was used to collect data from 224 randomly selected nurses working in medical and surgical units of four hospitals in two States of Southern Nigeria. Validated Observation checklist and two validated researcher-developed Questionnaires were utilized to collect data. The Intervention involved capacity building on 21 TCAB activities in four core areas: safe and reliable care; vitality and teamwork; patient-centre...

International Educational Scientific Research Journal, 2016

Maternal mortality and morbidity remains a huge health problem in Nigeria, this problem is more i... more Maternal mortality and morbidity remains a huge health problem in Nigeria, this problem is more in the rural communities of Nigeria. Pregnancy if not well-managed could lead to obstetric dangers, and obstetric dangers if not well-managed could lead to maternal health complications and death. This study explores the knowledge and understanding of obstetric danger signs among women of child-bearing age (pregnant women and new mothers), in rural communities of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study was conducted using a qualitative descriptive approach that applied semi-structured interviews. Akpabuyo Local Government Area (LGA), one of 18 LGAs that make up Cross River State, Nigeria was used as study area. Non-probability sampling known as purposive sampling was used. The aim was to choose participants who will most benefit the study in terms of data gathering. Qualitative data analysis which involved data reduction, organisation and subsequent interpretation was done from which themes...

The prevalence of HIV among youths in Nigeria is 4.1% and likely to increase unless youths adopt ... more The prevalence of HIV among youths in Nigeria is 4.1% and likely to increase unless youths adopt behaviours to reduce transmission. A cost-effective, health promotional behaviour change strategy is therefore important. Little is known about health promotional behaviour change among youths living with HIV (YLH) in Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to identify the health promotion activities adopted by YLH and to determine health promotional behaviour change after behaviour change counselling (BCC). Mixed method design was used, involving qualitative (focused group discussion, in-depth interview) and intervention (counselling and education to motivate behaviour change using pre-test/post-test design). Twenty three youth living with HIV were purposively selected after obtaining ethical permission and informed consent. Eight participants preferred to participate through e-mail and telephone. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed thematically using NVivo 9.0 while quantitati...

Traditional beliefs, attitudes and practices dominate the care of the newborn and child in most c... more Traditional beliefs, attitudes and practices dominate the care of the newborn and child in most countries. Some common traditional practices, especially female genital mutilation, are harmful. However there are other subtle indigenous practices which are inimical to children's health but rarely reported. Aim of study was to describe the indigenous practices of child care in some Niger Delta communities of Nigeria and highlight their health implications. Three hundred and seven mothers/guardians of children 0 to 5 years were purposively selected from 10 rural communities in Cross River and Bayelsa states. Mixed methods, focus group discussion, in-depth interview and observation, were used to collect data on child care beliefs and practices, and these were grouped into five categories; "immediate care of the newborn", "routine and general care", "child protection/prevention of illness", "treatment of illness", and "delayed milestones&qu...

Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences

Malaria is mostly endemic in tropical environments and has caused several still births and deaths... more Malaria is mostly endemic in tropical environments and has caused several still births and deaths particularly among children. Effective control of malaria infection reduces maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rate in pregnant women and children (0-5yrs). A promising strategy has been the utilization of insecticide treated nets among these groups of persons. A mixed method study was carried out in Ikot Omin community in Cross River State, Nigeria to authenticate the effectiveness of the net utilization. Four specific objectives were developed to guide the study. Data were elicited from 225 respondents through the use of structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 and thematic analysis methods respectively. The results showed that the prevalent harsh and dry weather condition was the major barrier to utilization of ITN in the community. A focused communication strategy to address this challenge has been suggested. The possibility of provision of steady light supply through the use of solar power in the homes by those who can afford it can be explored as a remedy for promoting consistent use of ITN by pregnant women and under five children in this community.

Global Journal of Health Science

INTRODUCTION: Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to the females and menstrual hygiene is still a... more INTRODUCTION: Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to the females and menstrual hygiene is still a problem for adolescent girls especially in low and middle income countries particularly when attending school. This issue is insufficiently acknowledged and has not received adequate attention in the reproductive health sectors in developing countries including Ghana and its relationship with the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). OBJECTIVES: This study examined the knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls, the cultural beliefs that influence menstrual hygiene practices, and the problems adolescent girls face in practicing menstrual hygiene. METHODOLOGY: A quantitative research method using descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed in the study. Using a multi-staged sampling technique, a sample size of 151 adolescents in Juniors High schools who had reached menarche was selected from four (4) schools located in Asamang, Sekyere s...

International Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 2019

Continuing professional development (CPD) is a key aspect of any profession and fundamental to th... more Continuing professional development (CPD) is a key aspect of any profession and fundamental to the development of a nation. The Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Program (MCPDP) as it is known in the nursing profession in Nigeria is aimed at sustaining capabilities and introducing new skills for modern day practice needs. It also offers the prospect for nurses to improve and broaden their knowledge, expertise and develop the personal and professional qualities. This study analysed the experiences of nurses, both participants and facilitators of MCPDP during the 34th session of the MCPDP in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. A sequential explanatory mixed method design was adopted for the study. All the eighty nurses in attendance participated in the study. A self-developed semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the quantitative data. Qualitatively, eight participants and two facilitators were selected for in-depth interviews. The findings revealed that 18.9% of the respondents attended the MCPDP for license renewal, 18.9% attended to update their knowledge on current practices, while 59.5% attended for both purposes. The challenges in attending MCPDP were lack of time 24.6%, lack of relief staff 23.3%, and high cost of MCPDP registration 20.9%. Organizational challenges included lack of finance due to low turnout of participants. Majority of the participants expressed willingness to participate in MCPDP in the future, while the few retired ones expressed having no need for MCPDP afterwards. The study disclosed that the existing approach for the program may require some form of adjustment so as to meet participants' and facilitators' needs. It was therefore recommended that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria should review the program structure and organisation.

Journal of Nursing & Healthcare, 2016

Background: It is the right of every patient to receive necessary care appropriately, safely, and... more Background: It is the right of every patient to receive necessary care appropriately, safely, and at the right time. However nurse shortages cause omission of less critical nursing tasks by nurses. The aims of the study were to examine the nature and prevalence of missed care; and to assess relationship between missed care and selected care outcomes. Methods: Mixed method was used (descriptive and intervention) to collect data from186 nurses providing direct adult care in 4 hospitals, and 120 patients/relatives. Ethical clearance was obtained from the HREC of Cross River State Ministry of Health. Nurses identified activities omitted in part or whole, or delayed in the previous seven days from a validated list of required care activities. Intervention comprised capacity building on certain care issues. Data were collected through researcher-developed and validated questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used analyse data on SPSS 18.0. Results: Most nurses (83.9%) ...

Acta Scientific Women's Health, May 1, 2022

Midwifery is a practice-based discipline, therefore learning experiences in the clinical setting ... more Midwifery is a practice-based discipline, therefore learning experiences in the clinical setting are integral to the preparation of registered midwives. Preceptors are experienced nurses and midwives who work in a variety of clinical and academic settings. They are assigned to a new or a novice midwife to guide them through an orientation process and a transition to their new role. Hence, their primary responsibility to the midwifery student in the clinical setting is to provide meaningful and relevant learning experiences. This study sought to examine student midwives' knowledge and perspectives of the role of the preceptor as well as the challenges faced by the students in Koforidua and St. Patricks Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges, Eastern and Ashanti Regions of Ghana. Social learning theory was used to guide the study. The study utilized the descriptive survey design with simple random sampling to get information from 269 second and third-year midwifery students from both schools using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 22 and presented in frequency tables and Bar charts. The study findings revealed the majority of midwifery students (60.0%) have knowledge of the preceptorship and encounters preceptors during their clinical work. Most of them (57.3%) perceived that it is the role of a preceptor to help them bridge the gap between classroom and clinical areas. Majority (68.8%) of the student midwives expectations of their preceptors was to help them develop midwifery skills and knowledge. They however faced some challenges with the preceptors in the course of the clinical practice such as lack of student-preceptor relationship, unavailability and inaccessibility of some preceptors, inadequate time to spend with the preceptors and inadequate supervision form preceptors during clinical practice. The study concluded that preceptorship might be a new concept in midwifery education, it is a module that is known to most students and is perceived as an integral part of their training. Based on the findings, the recommendations included Training of more clinical preceptors on their roles for improvement of students' clinical learning outcome among others.

Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, 2013

Background: The goal of roll back malaria partnership is to achieve universal coverage for all po... more Background: The goal of roll back malaria partnership is to achieve universal coverage for all populations at risk using appropriate interventions for prevention and case management. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and other anti-vector measures among pregnant women in an area hyper-endemic for malaria. Materials and Methods: Questionnaires were administered to a cross-section of 832 consecutive pregnant women attending antenatal care in three hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria that have high client flow for maternity services. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics by means of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the women was 33.2 ± 2.9 (range: 15-45) years. Three hundred and fifty nine (43.1%) women owned insecticide treated nets (ITNs), however 325(90.5%) slept under the nets during the index pregnancies; equivalent to 39.1% utilization rate among the 832 women studied. Out of the 325 (39.1%) women that used ITNs; 236 (28.4%) used it singly, while 89 (10.7%) used it in combination with other anti-vector measures. Educational status and social class of the women had strong association with the use of ITNs (P < 0.0001). Women who used ITNs were significantly less likely to have acute malaria, anaemia and babies with low birth weight than women who did not use ITNs (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of ITNs is poor among pregnant women in Enugu, but associated with favorable maternal and feto-neonatal outcome. Future measures to increase its use should consider improvement in educational level and social class of our women.

International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health, 2017

Background: Adolescence represents one of the critical transitions in life and is characterized b... more Background: Adolescence represents one of the critical transitions in life and is characterized by a tremendous pace in growth and changes. Despite the fact that menstruation is a healthy biological process, the issue of menstruation is approached with hesitance and wrong information because of deep-rooted cultural taboos. Objectives: (1) The objective of this study was to assess the status of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls, (2) to elicit the rituals and restrictions during menstruation, and (3) to study the common problems related to menstruation. Materials and Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted among schoolgoing adolescent girl students in rural Mangalore, 116 girls participated in the study. Data were collected by interview method using a predesigned semi-structured questionnaire to obtain information on menstrual hygiene practices, restrictions and common problems during menstruation. Results: Only 68.1% of the study participants perceived menstruation as a normal body process and 55.2% of girls had knowledge about the importance of menstrual hygiene. More than half of the participants believed that sanitary pads are ideal to be used during menstruation, but only 30.2% of them used only sanitary pads. Majority of them (55.2%) reported that they have restrictions during menstruation. Pain abdomen (64.7%) was a common problem during menstruation, others being head ache, back ache, weakness, and feeling sad. Conclusion: The need of the hour is adolescent girls to have accurate and adequate information about menstruation and menstrual hygiene.

This study was aimed at assessing the perception of pregnant teenagers of focused ante natal care... more This study was aimed at assessing the perception of pregnant teenagers of focused ante natal care (FANC) and their challenges in accessing care in Suntreso government hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. A cross sectional descriptive survey design was utilized whereby a purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 50 pregnant teenagers who met the inclusion criteria. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was employed to obtain information from the study participants after obtaining due consents. Obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Majority ended at the junior high school level 30(60%); 44(88%) not married; majority 40(80%) started attending FANC in their first trimester; 24(48%) were students; 22(44%) earned 6-10 Ghc a day and 20(40%) of them were responsible for their healthcare. Distance 18(36%) and finance 18(36%) influenced their decision to attend FANC. On the whole, only 22(44%) had good perception of interpersonal care, 18(36%) of staff efficiency, 25(50%) of comfort with care, 34(68%) of information they received, and 21(42%) of service environment. Those with strong family support, married and with higher income had good perception of ANC services. Stressful service environment 46(92%) and dissatisfaction with services rendered rated very high 30(60%) among the challenges faced by pregnant teenagers in accessing FANC services. Short waiting time 50(100%), availability of staff 50(100%) and good healthcare providers' attitude 40(80%) were rated highest among the respondents' opinion on measures to improve access to ANC services. The study recommended a user friendly healthcare environment through the provision of a separate space for pregnant teenagers and retraining of care providers with emphasis on care of teenagers among others.

Middle Eastern Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the perception, experiences and challenges of online and virt... more Purpose: This study aimed to assess the perception, experiences and challenges of online and virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic among student midwives of the Garden City University College, Kumasi, Ghana. Approach/Methodology/Design: The study adopted a descriptive quantitative design which was achieved by the administration of questionnaires through google forms to 158 respondents. A systematic sampling technique was employed to select the participants. Data were coded and entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 and MS. Excel for analysis. The technology acceptance model was used to direct the study. Findings: The study revealed that 51.3% of respondents perceived online and virtual learning to be useful and effective, 41.8% stated they were comfortable with the use of online and virtual learning platforms and tools. 44.3% of the participants were satisfied with the virtual learning, 50.6% stated that their experience with online and virt...

Medical research archives, 2021

In Ghana, abortion-related mortality is considered a major public health issue that needs to be a... more In Ghana, abortion-related mortality is considered a major public health issue that needs to be addressed. Midwives have been trained to safely and effectively provide post-abortion care in the country, yet the expected decline in maternal deaths from abortion complications especially in the rural settings is yet to be realized. Primary Healthcare (PHC) facility is the first point of contact for the rural populace, yet there is minimal evidence on the capacity of midwives serving there to provide post-abortion care. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of post abortion care among midwives in selected primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Ashanti region of Ghana. A cross sectional descriptive survey design was utilized for the study, and a multi-staged sampling technique was used to select 16 PHCs comprising both government (11) and private (5) owned, from which 112 participants were recruited. A pre-tested structured, self-developed questionnaire was employed to obtain in...

Discussions on fertility behaviour and population control policies have focused exclusively on th... more Discussions on fertility behaviour and population control policies have focused exclusively on the behaviour of females, and often target women for change while disregarding the role of the males. The inability of the national population policies to address this while at the same time encouraging patriarchal family system for the stability of the home seems to support this neglect. This study thus, examined male role and other determinants of fertility behaviour in Calabar and Oban areas of Cross River State, Nigeria. It focused on type of marriage preferred, educational attainment, decision on children marriage and socioeconomic determinants as they influence marital values. A simple random technique was used to select a sample of 500 respondents from the two areas (Calabar and Oban) a well structured questionnaire was used as instrument for collecting data while descriptive statistics and percentage analysis were used to analyse the data. Findings reveal that a higher percentage of male favoured polygamy, that low educational attainment, socioeconomic and parental decision on children marriage justifies male role on fertility and marital values. It was recommended among others that adequate attention be paid to male role, if fertility control policies are to be realized; that adequate education and enlightenment be located to both the educated and non-educated populace, that child early marriage be controlled, the consents of the children to be so involved in the marriage should be taken into consideration since they are to be directly involved in this marriage adventure.

African Journal of Biomedical Research, 2020

This study aimed to assess the perception of pregnant teenagers of focused ante natal care (FANC)... more This study aimed to assess the perception of pregnant teenagers of focused ante natal care (FANC) and their challenges in accessing care in Suntreso government hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. A cross sectional descriptive survey design was utilized whereby a purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 50 pregnant teenagers who met the inclusion criteria. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was employed to obtain information from the study participants after obtaining due consents. Obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Majority ended at the junior high school level 30(60%); 44(88%) not married; majority 40(80%) started attending FANC in their first trimester; 24(48%) were students; 22(44%) earned 6-10 Ghc a day and 20(40%) of them were responsible for their healthcare. Distance 18(36%) and finance 18(36%) influenced their decision to attend FANC. On the whole, only 22(44%) had good perception of interpersonal care, 18(36%) of staff efficiency, 25(50%) of comfort with car...

As the largest group of health care professionals, nurses are in a nodal position to ensure achie... more As the largest group of health care professionals, nurses are in a nodal position to ensure achievement of healthcare goals. Transforming Care at the Bedside (TCAB) is a global initiative whereby nurses implement innovative practices for patient satisfaction. However, the initiative has not been the focus of studies in Nigeria. This study examined TCAB practices among nurses in four hospitals in Southern Nigeria; and determined the effectiveness of capacity building on selected TCAB activities and outcomes. Triangulation (observation, descriptive and quasiexperimental) design was used to collect data from 224 randomly selected nurses working in medical and surgical units of four hospitals in two States of Southern Nigeria. Validated Observation checklist and two validated researcher-developed Questionnaires were utilized to collect data. The Intervention involved capacity building on 21 TCAB activities in four core areas: safe and reliable care; vitality and teamwork; patient-centre...

International Educational Scientific Research Journal, 2016

Maternal mortality and morbidity remains a huge health problem in Nigeria, this problem is more i... more Maternal mortality and morbidity remains a huge health problem in Nigeria, this problem is more in the rural communities of Nigeria. Pregnancy if not well-managed could lead to obstetric dangers, and obstetric dangers if not well-managed could lead to maternal health complications and death. This study explores the knowledge and understanding of obstetric danger signs among women of child-bearing age (pregnant women and new mothers), in rural communities of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study was conducted using a qualitative descriptive approach that applied semi-structured interviews. Akpabuyo Local Government Area (LGA), one of 18 LGAs that make up Cross River State, Nigeria was used as study area. Non-probability sampling known as purposive sampling was used. The aim was to choose participants who will most benefit the study in terms of data gathering. Qualitative data analysis which involved data reduction, organisation and subsequent interpretation was done from which themes...

The prevalence of HIV among youths in Nigeria is 4.1% and likely to increase unless youths adopt ... more The prevalence of HIV among youths in Nigeria is 4.1% and likely to increase unless youths adopt behaviours to reduce transmission. A cost-effective, health promotional behaviour change strategy is therefore important. Little is known about health promotional behaviour change among youths living with HIV (YLH) in Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to identify the health promotion activities adopted by YLH and to determine health promotional behaviour change after behaviour change counselling (BCC). Mixed method design was used, involving qualitative (focused group discussion, in-depth interview) and intervention (counselling and education to motivate behaviour change using pre-test/post-test design). Twenty three youth living with HIV were purposively selected after obtaining ethical permission and informed consent. Eight participants preferred to participate through e-mail and telephone. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed thematically using NVivo 9.0 while quantitati...

Traditional beliefs, attitudes and practices dominate the care of the newborn and child in most c... more Traditional beliefs, attitudes and practices dominate the care of the newborn and child in most countries. Some common traditional practices, especially female genital mutilation, are harmful. However there are other subtle indigenous practices which are inimical to children's health but rarely reported. Aim of study was to describe the indigenous practices of child care in some Niger Delta communities of Nigeria and highlight their health implications. Three hundred and seven mothers/guardians of children 0 to 5 years were purposively selected from 10 rural communities in Cross River and Bayelsa states. Mixed methods, focus group discussion, in-depth interview and observation, were used to collect data on child care beliefs and practices, and these were grouped into five categories; "immediate care of the newborn", "routine and general care", "child protection/prevention of illness", "treatment of illness", and "delayed milestones&qu...

Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences

Malaria is mostly endemic in tropical environments and has caused several still births and deaths... more Malaria is mostly endemic in tropical environments and has caused several still births and deaths particularly among children. Effective control of malaria infection reduces maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rate in pregnant women and children (0-5yrs). A promising strategy has been the utilization of insecticide treated nets among these groups of persons. A mixed method study was carried out in Ikot Omin community in Cross River State, Nigeria to authenticate the effectiveness of the net utilization. Four specific objectives were developed to guide the study. Data were elicited from 225 respondents through the use of structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 and thematic analysis methods respectively. The results showed that the prevalent harsh and dry weather condition was the major barrier to utilization of ITN in the community. A focused communication strategy to address this challenge has been suggested. The possibility of provision of steady light supply through the use of solar power in the homes by those who can afford it can be explored as a remedy for promoting consistent use of ITN by pregnant women and under five children in this community.

Global Journal of Health Science

INTRODUCTION: Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to the females and menstrual hygiene is still a... more INTRODUCTION: Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to the females and menstrual hygiene is still a problem for adolescent girls especially in low and middle income countries particularly when attending school. This issue is insufficiently acknowledged and has not received adequate attention in the reproductive health sectors in developing countries including Ghana and its relationship with the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). OBJECTIVES: This study examined the knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls, the cultural beliefs that influence menstrual hygiene practices, and the problems adolescent girls face in practicing menstrual hygiene. METHODOLOGY: A quantitative research method using descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed in the study. Using a multi-staged sampling technique, a sample size of 151 adolescents in Juniors High schools who had reached menarche was selected from four (4) schools located in Asamang, Sekyere s...