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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Training nurses in task-shifting strategies for the management and control of hypertension in Ghana: a mixed-methods study

Authors: Joyce Gyamfi, Jacob Plange-Rhule, Juliet Iwelunmor, Debbie Lee, Sarah R. Blackstone, Alicia Mitchell, Michael Ntim, Kingsley Apusiga, Bamidele Tayo, Kwasi Yeboah-Awudzi, Richard Cooper, Gbenga Ogedegbe

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

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).

Methods

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.

Results

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.

Conclusions

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.

Trial registration

Trial registration for parent TASSH study: NCT01802372. Registered February 27, 2013.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Training nurses in task-shifting strategies for the management and control of hypertension in Ghana: a mixed-methods study
Authors
Joyce Gyamfi
Jacob Plange-Rhule
Juliet Iwelunmor
Debbie Lee
Sarah R. Blackstone
Alicia Mitchell
Michael Ntim
Kingsley Apusiga
Bamidele Tayo
Kwasi Yeboah-Awudzi
Richard Cooper
Gbenga Ogedegbe
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2026-5

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