Understanding the Health-Seeking Behaviour of Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Ghana Through Vignettes
Background: Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system cannot differentiate between foreign substances and the body’s cells. In multiple sclerosis (MS), the immune system attacks the central nervous system and causes debilitating symptoms. Various factors impact healthcare choices in Africa,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Adventist University of Africa
2024-07-01
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| Series: | Pan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.aua.ke/ajhes/article/view/529 |
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| _version_ | 1846170535301480448 |
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| author | Belinda Dentaa Oduro |
| author_facet | Belinda Dentaa Oduro |
| author_sort | Belinda Dentaa Oduro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system cannot differentiate between foreign substances and the body’s cells. In multiple sclerosis (MS), the immune system attacks the central nervous system and causes debilitating symptoms. Various factors impact healthcare choices in Africa, including beliefs and social class.
Methods: This qualitative study explored the health-seeking behavior of five (5) purposively selected patients with MS in Ghana through in-depth interviews.
Results: The results of the study, as reported using vignettes, showed a lack of awareness about MS, and the high cost of treatment caused patients to seek non-biomedical forms of care, such as herbal remedies and divine healing.
Conclusion: This study highlights a lack of awareness regarding MS and how this affects the health-seeking behavior of patients. Desperation for an absolute cure to end suffering and the unending drain on their finances led patients to seek other modes of care. Public awareness is needed regarding the condition and alternative means of funding. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-82f6945de562463689b28fd96d8cf636 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2789-6196 2789-620X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-07-01 |
| publisher | Adventist University of Africa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-82f6945de562463689b28fd96d8cf6362024-11-11T19:39:17ZengAdventist University of AfricaPan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science2789-61962789-620X2024-07-0131749210.56893/ajhes2024v03i01.07496Understanding the Health-Seeking Behaviour of Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Ghana Through VignettesBelinda Dentaa Oduro0https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8014-9399University of Media, Arts and Communication, Ghana Background: Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system cannot differentiate between foreign substances and the body’s cells. In multiple sclerosis (MS), the immune system attacks the central nervous system and causes debilitating symptoms. Various factors impact healthcare choices in Africa, including beliefs and social class. Methods: This qualitative study explored the health-seeking behavior of five (5) purposively selected patients with MS in Ghana through in-depth interviews. Results: The results of the study, as reported using vignettes, showed a lack of awareness about MS, and the high cost of treatment caused patients to seek non-biomedical forms of care, such as herbal remedies and divine healing. Conclusion: This study highlights a lack of awareness regarding MS and how this affects the health-seeking behavior of patients. Desperation for an absolute cure to end suffering and the unending drain on their finances led patients to seek other modes of care. Public awareness is needed regarding the condition and alternative means of funding.https://journals.aua.ke/ajhes/article/view/529autoimmune conditionsmultiple sclerosis health-seeking behaviorreligionherbal remedies vignetteghana |
| spellingShingle | Belinda Dentaa Oduro Understanding the Health-Seeking Behaviour of Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Ghana Through Vignettes Pan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science autoimmune conditions multiple sclerosis health-seeking behavior religion herbal remedies vignette ghana |
| title | Understanding the Health-Seeking Behaviour of Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Ghana Through Vignettes |
| title_full | Understanding the Health-Seeking Behaviour of Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Ghana Through Vignettes |
| title_fullStr | Understanding the Health-Seeking Behaviour of Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Ghana Through Vignettes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding the Health-Seeking Behaviour of Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Ghana Through Vignettes |
| title_short | Understanding the Health-Seeking Behaviour of Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Ghana Through Vignettes |
| title_sort | understanding the health seeking behaviour of multiple sclerosis patients in ghana through vignettes |
| topic | autoimmune conditions multiple sclerosis health-seeking behavior religion herbal remedies vignette ghana |
| url | https://journals.aua.ke/ajhes/article/view/529 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT belindadentaaoduro understandingthehealthseekingbehaviourofmultiplesclerosispatientsinghanathroughvignettes |