Financial burden faced by breastfeeding mothers caring for children diagnosed with cancer in Ghana; an exploratory qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: When children are diagnosed of cancer, parents face varied financial issues. Among some of the identifiable factors that cause financial challenges among breastfeeding mothers include the high cost of childhood cancer care. The high cost of childhood cancer care could impede the sustainability of access to prompt care. There is paucity of literature on the financial burdens faced by breastfeeding mothers with children diagnosed with cancer in Ghana. Therefore, this study sought to explore the financial burden faced by mothers with breastfeeding children diagnosed with cancer. METHODS: The study employed qualitative exploratory descriptive design. One-on-one interviews were conducted among 13 mothers with breastfeeding children diagnosed of cancer. Permission was sought for data to be recorded, transcribed concurrently and inductive content analysis done. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged after data analysis: High cost (sub-themes; expensive medications, laboratory investigation fees, and cost of mothers' feeding), Public support (sub-themes; appeal for funds, national health insurance scheme) and Self-financing (loans, personal savings). Most of the breastfeeding mothers narrated that high cost of childhood cancer care generated financial distress to them. They shared that the cost involved in purchasing their children's cancer medications, paying for laboratory investigations and feeding themselves to produce adequate breastmilk to feed their children were challenging. Some of the mothers self-financed the cost of their children's cancer care through loans and personal savings. CONCLUSION: Government and other stakeholders should allocate annual budget and funds towards childhood cancer care to lessen the financial burden breastfeeding mothers caring for children with cancer experience.

Experiencing motherhood as a blind mother in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana; a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Females in developing countries are likely to suffer from visual impairment more than their male counterparts. People living with blindness or any other form of disability also have the right to reproduce and care for their children like all other humans. There is paucity of literature in the experiences of blind mothers in Ghana. Therefore, this study explored the experiences of blind mothers as they navigated the process of motherhood. METHODS: Qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used to conduct the study. Nineteen blind mothers were interviewed individually. Permission was sought for data to be audiotaped, transcribed and content analyzed inductively. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged from the data: mothering role and difficulties (sub-themes; feeding, disciplining and protection), mothering challenges (sub-themes; discrimination and prejudice, financial distress and psychological distress) and coping strategies (prayer, children and self-motivation). Most of the mothers reported difficulties in playing their roles in the areas of feeding, disciplining and protection. Challenges were poverty, discrimination, prejudices on their ability to be mothers and psychological distresses such as depression. They coped with their challenges with prayers, self motivation and the hope they had in their children. CONCLUSION: A lot of public education is needed to make the lives of people living with disability better. Health professionals must be trained to treat blind mothers with dignity and respect.

Breastfeeding and caring for children: a qualitative exploration of the experiences of mothers with physical impairments in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding and caring for children demand time, energy and effort. Mothers with physical impairments in Ghana require special needs to be able to achieve optimal motherhood as society demands. Globally, literature on breastfeeding and caring for children among mothers with physical disabilities is limited. Similarly, there is dearth of literature on the experiences of mothers with physical impairments in Ghana. Therefore, this study sought to add to literature by exploring the experiences of mothers with physical impairments with regards to breastfeeding and how they care for their children. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive exploratory design was used. Twelve mothers with physical impairments who had been purposively sampled gave informed consent before data was collected through in-depth one-on-one interviews. Data was recorded, transcribed and analyzed inductively using the content analysis technique. RESULTS: Mothers with physical impairments perceived breastfeeding as difficult and expensive due to issues relating to disruption of sleep, dysfunctional limbs and the need for breastfeeding mothers to eat nutritionally balanced meals. Participants felt prejudged and discriminated at different points in their daily encounters. CONCLUSION: Mothers with physical impairments have challenges. Therefore, attitudinal change should be advocated in the Ghanaian society with respect to issues concerning people living with disabilities.