Background: The clinical practice component in nursing and midwifery education is a neglected area of research. There is far ranging evidence that clinical exposure and skills acquisition is not equitable in Ghana. Researchers have focused mostly on clinical supervision with students’ needs still not prioritized. Therefore, this research sought to explore students’ views and stories about their clinical practicum experiences and to help gain a deeper understanding into their knowledge, competency acquisition, clinical learning, and transition to practice. Methods: We utilized focused ethnography design with Roper & Shapira’s methods on 12 students during their intra-practicum period in a tertiary hospital situated in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti-Region of Ghana. Within the period of 4 weeks intra practicum, participants were conveniently and purposively sampled and with an interview guide with a grand tour question participants’ were involved in conversation to elicit information through focus group discussions (FGD) in their natural setting. The FGDs were conducted on weekly basis during debrief sessions for 3 weeks until participants repeated what they have already said in the previous weeks indicating data saturation. Results: Nursing and midwifery students’ face diverse realities in the clinical sites, and are least supported in their skills and competency acquisitions, leading to theory practice confusion and inconsistencies, as students face challenges with the clinical component of their training. It was found that there were lack of preceptors and limited ward nurses’ preparedness to support students during clinical sessions hence students were subjected to excessive unproductive errands during the periods of practicum. It was also found that there is lack of collaboration between tutors and practicing nurses in the students training further exacerbating the theory-practice confusion. Conclusion and Recommendations: The identified gap is calling for a collaboration between clinicians and tutors to strengthen the clinical practice component of student nurse training. This will address the challenge of “theory-practice confusion and inconsistencies” among others.

Introduction: The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic is a continuing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), result in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). By May 27th, 2020, over 5.61 million people have been infected with COVID 19 across the globe in over 200 countries with more than 350,000 deaths. So far more than 2.3 million people have recovered from the COVID 19 pandemic. Objective: To review literatures associated with various pathophysiology on the body systems identified and published so as to guide effective management of patient with COVID 19. To highlight some pathological dimensions of the systems significantly affected by COVID 19 to identify gaps for the enhancement of further studies. Methodology: The LILACS-BIREME, SCIELO, PUBMED, ACADEMIA, SCIENCE DOMAIN databases and some textbooks were accessed for the study. Scientific papers published in English between January and May, 2020 on the pathophysiology of COVID 19 were reviewed. A total of 89 reports published between 1st January 2020 to 29th May 2020 were identified and reviewed. Sixty-seven publications meeting the inclusion criterion on COVID 19 pathophysiology were selected for this review. Finally, an analysis was conducted and the papers were assessed in agreement with the study objectives. Results and Discussion: The review has discovered different pathophysiological changes on about seven body systems namely respiratory, cardiovascular, hematological, nervous, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems. Conclusion: There are a lot of pathophysiological dimensions that have devastating effect on the body systems which may need immediate investigations, treatment and further studies.

Background: HIV-related stigma and discrimination are impediments to mitigating the HIV epidemic, with women mostly affected. This qualitative study explored issues of stigmatization, disclosure of status and adherence to Antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV positive women. Methods: This study was conducted in three ART centers in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. 23 HIV positive women aged 18-49 years and on Antiretroviral (ARVs) for treatment or prophylaxis for >3 months and 14 health workers at the ART centers were recruited. Three focus group discussions with 23 HIV positive women and 14 in-depth interviews with health workers were conducted.

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of child mortality worldwide and Sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionately affected. Inadequate access to cost-effective interventions in most poor resource areas threatens to increase preterm birth related mortalities. Kangaroo mother care has proven to be a cost-effective intervention and has reduced death as a result of complications of PTB by half. Purpose: This study therefore sought to explore and document the experiences of mothers regarding KMC following discharge from Nsawam Government Hospital. Methods: An exploratory descriptive design was used to collect data from mothers who had preterm births and their experiences of practicing kangaroo mother care at home. Fourteen participants in the Nsawam municipality were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data was analyzed using inductive thematic analyses. Findings: The findings of the study indicated that mothers are encouraged to practice KMC based on the benefits of KMC like provision of warmth, bonding and improvement in growth and development. The study also indicated that support systems available to mothers at home included family, churches, community and healthcare providers. Recommendations: The study recommended that; proper follow-up care should be undertaken by clinicians on mothers practicing KMC especially in their respective home environment to ensure adherence KMC practice experiences in the home.

Background: Pregnancy causes remarkable and dramatic changes in hematological variables which have an impact on pregnancy and its outcome.