Language and Communication Impact of Hypertension: A Qualitative Study

Background. Hypertension (HTN) is the second main source of outpatient morbidity in Ghana, and the understanding of a disease is necessary for its prevention and management. Language and communication are contributing factors to HTN in Ghana. No studies have been conducted to assess knowledge/awaren...

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Main Authors: Cecilia Amponsem-Boateng, Timothy Bonney Oppong, Weidong Zhang, Tanko Abdulai, Jonathan Boakye-Yiadom, Lianke Wang, Emmanuel Kumi Duodu Kyere
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:International Journal of Hypertension
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9931873
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author Cecilia Amponsem-Boateng
Timothy Bonney Oppong
Weidong Zhang
Tanko Abdulai
Jonathan Boakye-Yiadom
Lianke Wang
Emmanuel Kumi Duodu Kyere
author_facet Cecilia Amponsem-Boateng
Timothy Bonney Oppong
Weidong Zhang
Tanko Abdulai
Jonathan Boakye-Yiadom
Lianke Wang
Emmanuel Kumi Duodu Kyere
author_sort Cecilia Amponsem-Boateng
collection DOAJ
description Background. Hypertension (HTN) is the second main source of outpatient morbidity in Ghana, and the understanding of a disease is necessary for its prevention and management. Language and communication are contributing factors to HTN in Ghana. No studies have been conducted to assess knowledge/awareness of HTN (in the context of its understanding) among students in Ghana. Following a local name for HTN in Ghana, researchers interviewed students through a focus group to assess their understanding/perception (meaning, cause, and prevention) of the disease. Available literature has concerned itself with clients’ knowledge of their condition (diagnosis) rather than their comprehension of the true nature of what HTN is. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge/awareness of HTN in the context of its understanding of the meaning, perception, causes, and prevention of hypertension among students of Ghana’s Senior High School (Second Cycle). Semistructured interviews with the use of the theme lists were employed. Focus group conversations and interviews were held in the local Akan (Twi) language, which was later translated, interpreted, and analyzed. Overall, 25 second-cycle students participated. 60% were between 15 and 17 years, 24% were ≥18 years, and 16% were <15 years of age. Males were 44% and females were 56%. Students gave diverse perceptions of their knowledge of HTN. The local language’s translation of HTN has influenced and affected its meaning/understanding among some, thus affecting their perception of causes and prevention.
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institution Kabale University
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series International Journal of Hypertension
spelling doaj-art-5f9265eb775940df897361f7c539bbf32025-02-03T01:25:18ZengWileyInternational Journal of Hypertension2090-03842090-03922021-01-01202110.1155/2021/99318739931873Language and Communication Impact of Hypertension: A Qualitative StudyCecilia Amponsem-Boateng0Timothy Bonney Oppong1Weidong Zhang2Tanko Abdulai3Jonathan Boakye-Yiadom4Lianke Wang5Emmanuel Kumi Duodu Kyere6Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, ChinaKomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, ChinaBackground. Hypertension (HTN) is the second main source of outpatient morbidity in Ghana, and the understanding of a disease is necessary for its prevention and management. Language and communication are contributing factors to HTN in Ghana. No studies have been conducted to assess knowledge/awareness of HTN (in the context of its understanding) among students in Ghana. Following a local name for HTN in Ghana, researchers interviewed students through a focus group to assess their understanding/perception (meaning, cause, and prevention) of the disease. Available literature has concerned itself with clients’ knowledge of their condition (diagnosis) rather than their comprehension of the true nature of what HTN is. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge/awareness of HTN in the context of its understanding of the meaning, perception, causes, and prevention of hypertension among students of Ghana’s Senior High School (Second Cycle). Semistructured interviews with the use of the theme lists were employed. Focus group conversations and interviews were held in the local Akan (Twi) language, which was later translated, interpreted, and analyzed. Overall, 25 second-cycle students participated. 60% were between 15 and 17 years, 24% were ≥18 years, and 16% were <15 years of age. Males were 44% and females were 56%. Students gave diverse perceptions of their knowledge of HTN. The local language’s translation of HTN has influenced and affected its meaning/understanding among some, thus affecting their perception of causes and prevention.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9931873
spellingShingle Cecilia Amponsem-Boateng
Timothy Bonney Oppong
Weidong Zhang
Tanko Abdulai
Jonathan Boakye-Yiadom
Lianke Wang
Emmanuel Kumi Duodu Kyere
Language and Communication Impact of Hypertension: A Qualitative Study
International Journal of Hypertension
title Language and Communication Impact of Hypertension: A Qualitative Study
title_full Language and Communication Impact of Hypertension: A Qualitative Study
title_fullStr Language and Communication Impact of Hypertension: A Qualitative Study
title_full_unstemmed Language and Communication Impact of Hypertension: A Qualitative Study
title_short Language and Communication Impact of Hypertension: A Qualitative Study
title_sort language and communication impact of hypertension a qualitative study
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9931873
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AT tankoabdulai languageandcommunicationimpactofhypertensionaqualitativestudy
AT jonathanboakyeyiadom languageandcommunicationimpactofhypertensionaqualitativestudy
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