Medical pluralism, healthcare utilization and patient wellbeing: The case of Akan cancer patients in Ghana

Purpose As cancers increase in Ghana and in many low-and middle-income countries, healthcare utilization has become critical for disease management and patients' wellbeing. There is evidence that medical pluralism is common among cancer patients in Ghana and many other African countries, which results in lack of adherence to and absconding from hospital treatments. The objective of this study was to examine ways in which beliefs in disease causation influence medical pluralism among Akan cancer patients in Ghana. Methods A qualitative research approach was employed in this study. In-depth interviews were conducted for thirty (30) cancer patients who were purposively recruited from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Thematic content analysis was used in analysing data. Results Our findings revealed that cancer patients ascribed both physical and spiritual causality to their illness. As such, they combined orthodox treatment with spiritual healing and herbal medicine. Regarding the order of therapeutic search, patients reported to herbal and spiritual centres before going to the hospital, a phenomenon which contributes to the late reporting and diagnosis as well as bad prognosis of cancers in Ghana. Conclusion The findings of this research elucidate the relationship between culture and health care choices of cancer patients in Ghana. Increased awareness creation is crucial in eradicating myths surrounding cancers in Ghana.

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to examine how beliefs in disease causation influence medical pluralism among Akan cancer patients in Ghana. The findings revealed that cancer patients in Ghana attribute both physical and spiritual causality to their illness, resulting in the combination of orthodox treatment with spiritual healing and herbal medicine. In addition, patients often seek treatment from traditional and spiritual centers before going to the hospital, contributing to late diagnosis and poor prognosis of cancers in Ghana.