Studies have suggested that in African countries, symptoms of cognitive decline are commonly seen as part of “normal ageing” or attributed to supernatural causes. The impact of folk beliefs about causality upon help-seeking is unclear. Likewise, there is a lack of evidence relating to how families cope with living with an older resident with dementia. Our study's aim was to explore the sociocultural beliefs, understandings, perceptions and behaviours relating to living with dementia in Kintampo, Ghana. We conducted in-depth interviews with a total of 28 people, using a series of case studies among 10 older people living with dementia and their families. Results revealed that symptoms of cognitive impairment were generally linked to inexorable bodily decline understood to be characteristic of “normal” ageing. Stigma was therefore perceived to be non-existent. Whilst managing the costs of care was often a challenge, care-giving was largely accepted as a filial duty, commonly shared among female residents of large compound households. Families experimented with biomedical and traditional medicine for chronic conditions they perceived to be treatable. Our findings suggest that whilst families offer a holistic approach to the needs of older people living with chronic conditions including dementia, health and social policies offer inadequate scaffolding to support this work. In the future, it will be important to develop policy frameworks that acknowledge the continued social and economic potential of older people and strengthen the existing approach of families, optimising the management of non-communicable diseases within primary care.

Background Background Estimates suggest that about 50 million individuals are living with dementia globally. Thus, dementia remains a public health concern at all levels. Although there are several factors that offer conditions for the provision of empirical evidence for an intervention, little is known about dementia within the Ghanaian population. This write-up aims to describe Ghana's dementia research needs. Methods Methods Based on results from a study conducted in the Kintampo area of Ghana, the study team strategized to identify dementia research needs in Ghana. Additionally, a literature search was used to identify and outline the dementia research needs.

Background: Ethiopia is signatory to various international and regional conventions, agreements and protocols related to violence against women, yet the many women suffer violence. To date, very little is known about how these conventions and protocols are implemented, and the barriers associated with implementation. Our study explored the barriers to implementation of domestic violence against women prevention policies and enablers in the Northwestern Ethiopia.Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions among a total of 43 participants purposefully selected from different sectors and communities. Data were transcribed, coded and thematically analyzed using NVivo 11 software.Results: Community-traditional gender-norms, budget constraints, poor planning and non-adherence to planned activities, lack of commitment, poor integration and inter-sectoral collaboration served as barriers to implementation of policies aimed at preventing domestic violence in Ethiopia. However, enablers of domestic implementation of violence prevention programs include community health extension program, women development ‘army’, policy frameworks, government’s political willingness, presence of school-based gender clubs.Conclusions: The implementation of existing evidence and policies was still poor at the community level due to lack of inter-sectoral collaboration, poor integration and stakeholders with competing priorities among others. Future intervention programs that would sustain and synergized domestic violence prevention, should integrate intersectoral collaboration and service within existing program.

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