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Objective The study sought to explore the perceptions and attitudes of women in the perinatal period towards the reproductive health services of male midwives.Design The study adopted an in-depth exploratory descriptive design for data collection and themes extracted using thematic analysis.Setting Antenatal and postpartum units of two primary healthcare facilities in the Kwabre-East District of Ghana.Participants 20 women in the perinatal period who were receiving antenatal care and delivery services from the facilities included in the study were recruited through purposive sampling.Findings Divergent views emerged among our participants regarding the acceptability and utilisation of perinatal services provided by male midwives. Some participants perceived male midwives as patient, supportive, caring, compassionate and skilful at their work while the negative attitude related to some participants perceiving their interactions with male midwives as an opportunity for sexual violation. Positive attitudes emanated from male midwives’ empathetic behaviour, reception, privacy and confidentiality of information. Conversely, negative attitudes arose from a lack of awareness of the changing female gender domination in midwifery, fear and misconceptions. Finally, participants faced various challenges, rooted in culture, which impacted their acceptance of male midwifery services.Conclusions Factors influencing participants’ negative perceptions and attitudes towards male midwives were born out of culturally motivated and gender-sensitive stereotyping rather than male professional midwifery competencies. The study outcome provides the basis and the need for a community-based intervention to effect changes in the perception and attitude of women in the perinatal period towards male midwifery practice in the affected communities. Increasing awareness of the existence of male midwives in the communities would contribute to increasing acceptance and utilisation of their services among women in the perinatal period in Ghana.

Abstract Objectives We determined the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among public servants of Ejisu Juaben municipality. Results The overall prevalence of hypertension was 29.3% (95%CI:22.5–36.1%) and only 8.6% of the participants were aware of their hypertensive status. Respondents who were > 40 years were twice as likely to develop hypertension compared to those who were ≤ 40 years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–5.32]. Those who were married were 2.54 times more likely to be hypertensive compared with those unmarried [AOR = 2.54, 95%CI: 1.06–6.08]. Compared to health workers, Judicial and Security service workers were almost five times more likely to be hypertensive [AOR = 4.77, 95%CI: 1.20–18.96]. Being overweight [AOR = 2.25, 95%CI: 1.06–6.41] and obese [AOR = 4.80, 95%CI: 1.82–12.91] was associated with increased odds of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension among the participants in this study is high. Employee wellness programs are needed at workplaces and the Ghana Health Service must adopt targeted intervention programs such as regular screening for non-communicable diseases and promotion of physical activities at the workplace.

Abstract Background Women seeking fertility treatment face myriad challenges that they must adapt and adjust to daily. This aimed at exploring the experiences and coping strategies of such persons in the Kumasi. Metropolis. Methods A qualitative approach was employed and a purposive sampling technique was used to select 19 participants. A semi-structured interview was used to collect data. The data collected were analyzed using Colaizzi's method of data analysis. Results Persons living with infertility had emotional experiences of anxiety, stress, and depression. Socially, participants experienced isolation, stigma, societal pressure, and marital problems due to their inability to conceive. The key coping strategies adopted were spiritual (faith-based) and social support. Though formal child adoption can be an option, no participant preferred it as a coping strategy. Some participants also reported using herbal medicine before going to the fertility centre upon realizing that the approach was not helping in achieving their desired outcome. Conclusion Infertility is a source of suffering for most women diagnosed with it, resulting in significant negative experiences in their matrimonial homes, families, friends, and the community at large. Most participants rely on spiritual and social support as their immediate and basic coping strategies. Future research could evaluate the treatment and coping strategies and also determine the outcomes of other forms of treatment for infertility.

Background & aim: The integrative review is the methodology that provides synthesis of knowledge and its results could be applicable to practice. This is achieved by analyzing previous studies and generating new perspectives on the topic. This integrative literature review sought to review empirical and theoretical literature considering the ways in which health professionals’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes can be improved for the best maternal outcomes. Methods: Keywords were identified, and medical subject headings were used to formulate the search strategy. The search strategy was adapted according to several databases, including Academic Search Complete, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. The present review focused the period from 1996 to 2016. Review questions were designed, and inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined. Results: The initial search resulted in the extraction of 780 papers; however, after screening the titles, abstracts, and duplicates only 12 articles were included in the final review. Among all 12 articles, in-service training program was the main intervention to update health professionals’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes in order to achieve the best maternal outcomes. The reviewed articles focused on teaching methods, frequency or duration of the training programs, and setting of in-service training programs. Conclusion: In-service training programs can improve the quality of healthcare among nurses and midwives by increasing clinical knowledge and skills, as well as changing health professional attitudes towards a more patient-centered approach.