A qualitative study on coping strategies of young women living with breast cancer in Ghana
Aim: This study sought to identify ways of coping with breast cancer diagnosis and its treatment challenges among young Ghanaian women living in the Accra metropolis. Methodology: The study used an exploratory descriptive qualitative approach to recruit twelve participants aged 28–45 years through p...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2019-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214139119300964 |
| _version_ | 1817984426097770496 |
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| author | Merri Iddrisu Lydia Aziato Florence Dedey |
| author_facet | Merri Iddrisu Lydia Aziato Florence Dedey |
| author_sort | Merri Iddrisu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aim: This study sought to identify ways of coping with breast cancer diagnosis and its treatment challenges among young Ghanaian women living in the Accra metropolis. Methodology: The study used an exploratory descriptive qualitative approach to recruit twelve participants aged 28–45 years through purposive and snowball sampling methods from three hospitals in the Accra metropolis. Participants were interviewed using a face to face approach and interviews were audio recorded with participants’ permission. Verbatim transcription was done and data were analyzed using content analysis procedures. Findings: Participants believed God is the ultimate healer. They prayed and read the Bible. Some believed God could replace their breasts, they voided sinful acts and used religious artefacts such as the Rosary, special oil prepared by pastors, pictures of pastors. They obtained physical and emotional support from their families, partners and significant others. They compared themselves with others who had worse health challenges such as those with end-stage breast cancers who were on admission and those who have died. Participants also listened to music, read storybooks, took a walk in flower gardens to cope with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Conclusions: Young women living with breast cancer rely more on God and support from their families, friends and the church in coping with their condition. These young women need to be attended to by multidisciplinary healthcare team the clinical psychologist and a spiritual leader to enable meet their physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs. Keywords: Breast cancer, Coping, Ghana, Spirituality, Social support, Young women |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T23:45:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-69e968c1889540638cd4be522b619df1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2214-1391 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T23:45:19Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-69e968c1889540638cd4be522b619df12022-12-22T02:24:21ZengElsevierInternational Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences2214-13912019-01-0111A qualitative study on coping strategies of young women living with breast cancer in GhanaMerri Iddrisu0Lydia Aziato1Florence Dedey2Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, GhanaDepartment of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Ghana; Corresponding author at: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG43, Legon, Accra, Ghana.Department of Surgery, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, GhanaAim: This study sought to identify ways of coping with breast cancer diagnosis and its treatment challenges among young Ghanaian women living in the Accra metropolis. Methodology: The study used an exploratory descriptive qualitative approach to recruit twelve participants aged 28–45 years through purposive and snowball sampling methods from three hospitals in the Accra metropolis. Participants were interviewed using a face to face approach and interviews were audio recorded with participants’ permission. Verbatim transcription was done and data were analyzed using content analysis procedures. Findings: Participants believed God is the ultimate healer. They prayed and read the Bible. Some believed God could replace their breasts, they voided sinful acts and used religious artefacts such as the Rosary, special oil prepared by pastors, pictures of pastors. They obtained physical and emotional support from their families, partners and significant others. They compared themselves with others who had worse health challenges such as those with end-stage breast cancers who were on admission and those who have died. Participants also listened to music, read storybooks, took a walk in flower gardens to cope with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Conclusions: Young women living with breast cancer rely more on God and support from their families, friends and the church in coping with their condition. These young women need to be attended to by multidisciplinary healthcare team the clinical psychologist and a spiritual leader to enable meet their physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs. Keywords: Breast cancer, Coping, Ghana, Spirituality, Social support, Young womenhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214139119300964 |
| spellingShingle | Merri Iddrisu Lydia Aziato Florence Dedey A qualitative study on coping strategies of young women living with breast cancer in Ghana International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences |
| title | A qualitative study on coping strategies of young women living with breast cancer in Ghana |
| title_full | A qualitative study on coping strategies of young women living with breast cancer in Ghana |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative study on coping strategies of young women living with breast cancer in Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative study on coping strategies of young women living with breast cancer in Ghana |
| title_short | A qualitative study on coping strategies of young women living with breast cancer in Ghana |
| title_sort | qualitative study on coping strategies of young women living with breast cancer in ghana |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214139119300964 |
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