A qualitative study on the experiences of family caregivers of children with End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD).

Background: Family caregivers, mostly parents, are greatly involved in the care of their children with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) globally. Yet, the experiences of these caregivers and the demands placed on them by the caregiving role have not been explored or documented in Ghana. This study explored how caregiving affects the psychological, physical, social, and spiritual well-being of family caregivers of children with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) in Ghana.

Perspectives of Family Caregivers on Healthcare Provided to Older Adults With Hypertension and/or Diabetes Mellitus in Ghana.

This study explored the perspectives of family caregivers of older adults with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus on the care provided to their kin when they visit the hospital. A qualitative research approach was used to conduct the study using family members providing informal care for older adults with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus at a teaching hospital in Ghana. A total of 20 participants were purposively sampled, interviewed, and data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

A qualitative study on the lived experiences of individuals with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) accessing haemodialysis in Northern Ghana.

Background: Haemodialysis is Ghana's most common form of renal replacement therapy for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, limited research has explored the experiences of individuals with ESKD receiving haemodialysis in relatively poorer regions, especially in the northern part of the country. This study explored individuals' experiences with accessing haemodialysis in northern Ghana and was guided by Levesque's conceptual framework of access to healthcare.

Expectations, experiences and challenges of nursing students using the virtual learning medium during the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive phenomenological study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused several higher educational institutions to switch from traditional face-to-face to virtual learning medium. This abrupt shift came with new expectations, experiences and challenges to nursing/ midwifery students, particularly new users, and even more so when preparation, orientation, and support were lacking or ineffective. The present study therefore aimed at exploring the expectations, experiences and challenges of nursing students using the virtual learning medium during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The psychosocial experiences of pregnant women in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective qualitative study.

Background: Pregnant women are among the most vulnerable and suffer the most during pandemics, according to earlier studies. Pregnant women had to seek healthcare for both themselves and their unborn child(ren) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was unprecedented. Pregnant women's psychosocial experiences during pandemics are crucial since they both directly and indirectly affect the course of pregnancy and childbirth.

Perceptions and attitudes of women in the perinatal period towards male midwives in a rural district of Ghana: a descriptive, exploratory qualitative study.

Objective: The study sought to explore the perceptions and attitudes of women in the perinatal period towards the reproductive health services of male midwives.

Design: The study adopted an in-depth exploratory descriptive design for data collection and themes extracted using thematic analysis.

Setting: Antenatal and postpartum units of two primary healthcare facilities in the Kwabre-East District of Ghana.

Experiences of family caregivers of people with spinal cord injury at the neurosurgical units of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leaves affected persons with a lifelong demand for care. As a result, the effect of the condition goes beyond the injured person to affect family members and significant others who have to adjust their lives to provide care and support. However, little is known about the experiences of these family caregivers regarding the care of people with SCI in Ghana.

"She is My Work": Caregiving for Older Adults With Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus.

To explore the lived experiences of informal caregivers of older adults with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus in Kumasi, Ghana. A qualitative research approach was used to conduct the study using informal caregivers of older adults with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus at a teaching hospital in Ghana. In all, 20 participants were purposively sampled, interviewed, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Lived experiences and coping strategies of persons seeking infertility treatment in the Kumasi metropolis: a descriptive phenomenological study.

Background: Women seeking fertility treatment face myriad challenges that they must adapt and adjust to daily. This aimed at exploring the experiences and coping strategies of such persons in the Kumasi. Metropolis.

Perceptions of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and their informal caregivers on palliative care as a treatment option: a qualitative study.

Background: Palliative care is increasingly becoming an accepted treatment choice for many individuals diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Yet, its utilisation is non-existent in many lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study explored the perceptions of individuals with ESKD and their informal caregivers on palliative care as a treatment option for the disease in Ghana.

Nurses and midwives' experiences of using non-pharmacological interventions for labour pain management: a qualitative study in Ghana.

Background: Non-pharmacological interventions hold promise in reducing labour pain, with minimal or no harm to the mother, foetus and the progress of labour and are simple and cost-effective. Yet their use has not been adequately explored in clinical settings, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: This was a descriptive phenomenological study.

Decision-making experiences of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) regarding treatment in Ghana: a qualitative study.

Background: This is the first qualitative study to explore patient decision-making regarding end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. The study addresses an important gap in the literature concerning choice and decision-making in an international context.

Methods: The study employed a qualitative research design, using grounded theory methodology.

Should I stay or should I go? A systematic review of factors that influence healthcare students' decisions around study abroad programmes.

Background: Study abroad programmes have been shown to have significant benefits for participating healthcare students such as promoting cultural awareness and understanding of different healthcare settings, policies and practices. Healthcare students are encouraged to undertake elective or Erasmus placements overseas to enhance personal and professional development and to broaden horizons through lived cultural experience. However, there is a relatively low uptake of such opportunities amongst this student group.

The impact of dialysis modality on quality of life: a systematic review.

Background: This systematic review aims to generate evidence on which dialysis modality (in-centre haemodialysis HD, or peritoneal dialysis, PD) improves the quality of life (QOL) of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

Methods: MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE were searched from their inception to July 2010 for studies that compared QOL in both HD and PD patients.

Results: Only 26 of the 574 studies identified were included in this review.