International Journal of Healthcare Sciences ISSN 2348-5728 (Online) Vol. 8, Issue 2, pp: (107-119), Month: October 2020 - March 2021, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Religious Beliefs and its Influence on the Treatment of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ayawaso District, Ghana Francisca Arboh1, Elizabeth Yeboah2, Emmanuel Kwateng Drokow2, Eric Atta Quainoo2, Adwoa Asantewaa Acquah Tyse3, Akpene Yawa Amaglo4, Nana Ama Anokyewaa Darko5 1
School of Economics and management, Hebei University of Technology 2
Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana
2
Department of Radiation Oncology, Henan Provincial People‟s Hospital and Zhenzhou University People‟s Hospital 2
Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University
3
School of Economics and management, Hebei University of Technology 4
College of Medicine, Nankai University
5
College of Medicine, Nankai University
Corresponding author: equainoo767@yahoo.com
Abstract: There has been a rise in the problem of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) worldwide. NonCommunicable Diseases NCDs are chronic conditions and as such takes a toll on the family and the community. In Ghana, NCDs are attributed to supernatural causes, hence this study was done to assess people’s knowledge and perception on NCDs, factors that influence their health seeking behaviours and how their religious beliefs affect the treatment of NCDs. The descriptive survey design through the quantitative approach was used in the study. Through stratified and random sampling procedures, a sample of 386 respondents were selected from Ayawaso District of Ghana. A questionnaire designed (in relation to literature) was used to gather data for the study. The gathered data was analysed based on the research questions, using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and pearson product moment correlation. The findings of the study indicated that majority of the respondents have knowledge on NCDs, they first seek for the causes and treatment of the NCDs and there is a weak positive significant correlation between religion and seeking early intervention of NCD. Recommendations were made to contribute to optimizing the management of NCDs in the Ayawaso district of Ghana. Keywords: Non-Communicable Diseases, Religious beliefs, Health, Ghana.
1. INTRODUCTION Communicable diseases have been the major causes of death worldwide with uncontrolled epidemics reducing life expectancy. After World War II, scientific research helped reduced the burden of communicable disease by developing antibiotics and vaccination. Non-communicable diseases started to cause major issues for the developed nations (Yawson, Abuosi, Badasu, Atobra, Adzei, & Anarfi, 2016). Diabetes, cancer and heart became a major problem in the developed countries (Bosu, 2012). Such diseases have been linked with economic growth and considered as rich people‟s disease. Non-communicable disease now seems to be penetrating the entire globe at the start of the third millennium with increasing pattern or incidents in developing nations (Yawson et al, 2016). Globalization has been a major cause to the increase of non-communicable diseases in developing nations and have led to the increase in technology and free trade among nations (Boutayeb & Boutayeb, 2005).
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