Browsing by Author "Kpobi, Lily Naa Ayorkor"

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    Barriers and facilitators to the use of the mental health information system in Ghana: A qualitative study amongst users at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-12) Kpobi, Lily Naa Ayorkor; Swartz, Leslie; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT : One of the most successful modes of record-keeping and data collection is the use of health management information systems, where patient information and management plans are uniformly entered into a database to streamline the information and for ease of further patient management. For mental healthcare, a mental health information system (MHIS) has been found most successful. A properly established and operational MHIS is crucial in developing equitable and appropriate mental health care systems. Despite the obvious benefits of having a well-structured MHIS, its existence does not guarantee efficient use. There are a number of potential problems which may arise in the implementation of the MHIS, especially in poorly-resourced contexts. All of these problems may result in poor quality data being generated through the system, thereby compromising the use and efficiency of the MHIS. Staff motivation to provide accurate data for entry will also be affected. Until 2010, the system of keeping patient records and information in the Accra Psychiatric Hospital was old and outdated. In light of this and other factors, the Mental Health and Poverty Project (MHaPP) undertook a complete reforming of the mental health information systems in three psychiatric hospitals in Ghana in 2010. Although much was written on the implementation of the information systems, little is known about the current state of the system in Ghana four years after it was implemented. In view of this the present study sought to explore the experiences of users at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital in using the new MHIS, and to ascertain what their perceptions are of areas for improvement in the current system. A mixed methods approach was adopted. First, an audit was undertaken of usage of the MHIS. Second, participants‘ knowledge of the system and its use, as well as the influence of institutional processes on work were explored through the use of observations and semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data was analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Participants in the study were in three categories: prescriber, administrator, and records clerk. The final sample consisted of seven prescribers, one administrator and one records clerk. Participants reported increased workload, inadequate logistic support and staff shortages as the barriers to the effective use of the MHIS. Recommendations for improving the system included revising the form and migrating to a fully computerized system. These are discussed with reference to both micro and macro level institutional structures.
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    Indigenous and faith healing for mental disorders : an exploratory study of healers in Accra, Ghana
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12) Kpobi, Lily Naa Ayorkor; Swartz, Leslie; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mental health care in Ghana is not limited to biomedical care. A large number of service users are believed to utilise non-biomedical avenues in the pathway to health seeking. These non-biomedical treatments include indigenous and faith healing methods. Although some studies in Ghana have examined the reasons for and use of alternative mental health care methods, not many have examined the beliefs about mental illness and the treatment methods of the healers themselves. In this qualitative study, my aim was to examine how indigenous and faith healers conceptualised mental disorders, providing rich data on their perspectives and experiences. In particular, I questioned the perceived homogeneity of non-biomedical practitioners in Ghana by examining the nuances in mental health notions between different categories of non-biomedical healers. Thus, the objectives were to assess the beliefs and methods of different types of healers about different types of disorders, as well as to examine their views on collaboration with biomedical service providers. Using Kleinman’s Explanatory Models of Illness concept as a guiding framework, individual, semi-structured interviews using case vignettes were conducted with thirty-six indigenous and faith healers who lived and/or worked in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The healers comprised herbalists, Pentecostal Christian faith healer, Muslim healers, and traditional medicine men/priests. The findings of this research suggest that unlike the perceptions of homogenous conceptualisation of mental disorders by non-biomedical practitioners, differences exist in the way different disorders are understood and treated by indigenous and faith healers, including differences in classification, perceived best treatments and perceived impact of the disorder. Although there were some similarities to biomedical concepts as well as between the healers, there were also important differences across the different types of healers. With respect to integration of services, the healers’ views on collaboration with biomedicine varied based on their own perceptions of power and position. These findings present further perspectives on the fluid, dynamic and often multifaceted nature of mental health care provision in a country such as Ghana, and provide a lens to understanding the work of indigenous and faith healing in a pluralistic health care setting. The study concludes by outlining some potential next steps for developing dialogues on integration of mental health care services in Ghana.