Management of chronic non-communicable diseases in Ghana: a qualitative study of patients’ coping strategies and the role of caregivers

Abstract

Background Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (CNCDs) has become a major cause of mortality and disability globally. We explored the coping strategies adopted by CNCD patients and the roles of caregivers in the management of CNCDs in Ghana. Methods This was a qualitative study that adopted an exploratory design. The study was carried out at the Volta Regional Hospital. Purposive convenience sampling procedures were used to sample patients and caregivers. Data for the study were collected using in-depth interview guides. Data were collected among 25 CNCDs patients and 8 caregivers and analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti. Results Patients adopted a variety of strategies to cope with their condition. These strategies were emotion-oriented coping, task-oriented coping, and avoidance-oriented coping. Family members were the main caregivers, who provided social and financial support for patients. Financial challenges, inadequate family support, poor attitudes of health workers, delays at the health facility, unavailability of drugs at the facility, and patients’ non-adherence to the medical advice were major challenges that militated against caregivers’ efforts in supporting patients in the management of their CNCDs. Conclusion We found that patients adopted various strategies to cope with their conditions. The roles of the caregivers in supporting patients in the management practices were identified as very important as they contribute immensely to the financial and social support for the patients in their management of CNCDs. It is crucial that health professionals actively involve caregivers in every aspect of the day-to-day management of CNCDs as these caregivers spend more time with these patients and understand them better.

Cross-sectional study of the burden and determinants of non-medical and opportunity costs of accessing chronic disease care in rural Tanzania

“…The lack of previous studies with which to compare our findings demonstrates the novelty of our work. However, a study conducted in Ghana supports the interpretation of our findings in that patients with CDs were shown to use accompaniers in order to overcome mobility and transport barriers to reaching more distant tertiary care facilities, 38 thus explaining why those with accompaniers incur higher direct and indirect non-medical costs than those without. Additionally, the majority of participants reported their coresident household members, such as their partner or child, as informal caregivers, indicating that these households face a double burden.…”

Exploring therapeutic communication in managing chronic non-communicable diseases: a mixed-method study in Ghana

“…After each interview, field notes were taken and referred to during the analysis, which included the participants’ nonverbal indications, worries, and interviewers’ reflections. Also, the instrument and the interview guides were given to experts in the field of qualitative study for them to peruse in detail the worth of the questions [ 19 ]. We also carried out pretest interviews among patients with NCDs in a different health facility (Volta regional Hospital).…”

Caregiver Experience from the Perspective of Men and Women: An Integrative Review

“…CNCDs encompass a range of conditions, such as heart diseases, lung diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders, with each having unique symptomatology and treatment options. Flaws in the healthcare system, limited information available about the diseases, low socioeconomic status, and advanced age are determining factors that alter the process of effective coping (2). CNCDs represent a unique process for individuals, their families, and family caregivers, which causes physical, psychological, social, and spiritual alterations and affects the quality of life of individuals who have to live with these conditions (3).…”