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Training nurses in task-shifting strategies for the management and control of hypertension in Ghana: a mixed-methods study.
- Source :
- BMC Health Services Research; 2/2/2017, Vol. 17, p1-9, 9p, 3 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- <bold>Background: </bold>Nurses in Ghana play a vital role in the delivery of primary health care at both the household and community level. However, there is lack of information on task shifting the management and control of hypertension to community health nurses in low- and middle-income countries including Ghana. The purpose of this study was to assess nurses' knowledge and practice of hypertension management and control pre- and post-training utilizing task-shifting strategies for hypertension control in Ghana (TASSH).<bold>Methods: </bold>A pre- and post- test survey was administered to 64 community health nurses (CHNs) and enrolled nurses (ENs) employed in community health centers and district hospitals before and after the TASSH training, followed by semi-structured qualitative interviews that assessed nurses' satisfaction with the training, resultant changes in practice and barriers and facilitators to optimal hypertension management.<bold>Results: </bold>A total of 64 CHNs and ENs participated in the TASSH training. The findings of the pre- and post-training assessments showed a marked improvement in nurses' knowledge and practice related to hypertension detection and treatment. At pre-assessment 26.9% of the nurses scored 80% or more on the hypertension knowledge test, whereas this improved significantly to 95.7% post-training. Improvement of interpersonal skills and patient education were also mentioned by the nurses as positive outcomes of participation in the intervention.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Findings suggest that if all nurses receive even brief training in the management and control of hypertension, major public health benefits are likely to be achieved in low-income countries like Ghana. However, more research is needed to ascertain implementation fidelity and sustainability of interventions such as TASSH that highlight the potential role of nurses in mitigating barriers to optimal hypertension control in Ghana.<bold>Trial Registration: </bold>Trial registration for parent TASSH study: NCT01802372 . Registered February 27, 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- PRIMARY health care
HYPERTENSION
THERAPEUTICS
AFRICANS
HEALTH services accessibility
COMMUNITY health nurses
HEALTH
CLINICAL competence
CLUSTER analysis (Statistics)
COMMUNITY health nursing
COMMUNITY health services
COMPARATIVE studies
HEALTH attitudes
RESEARCH methodology
MEDICAL cooperation
NURSE-patient relationships
PUBLIC hospitals
RESEARCH
RESEARCH funding
EVALUATION research
RANDOMIZED controlled trials
PREVENTION
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14726963
- Volume :
- 17
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- BMC Health Services Research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 122978076
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2026-5