Knowledge of mental health legislation in Ghana: a case of the use of certificate of urgency in mental health care.

Journal: International journal of mental health systems

Volume: 12

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Abstract summary 

Mental illness can affect anyone irrespective of race, gender or personal characteristics. The study sought to investigate health workers' Knowledge on Mental Health Legislation in Ghana focusing on the Certificate of Urgency.A descriptive study design was employed for this study. The study population included medical doctors, physician assistants, and nurses/midwives. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 384 respondents for the study. Data was collected through the use of semi-structured questionnaires.Respondents who were psychiatrists were 9.56 times more knowledgeable in the use of Certificate of Urgency than those in other specialties like primary care, obstetrics and gynaecology, surgery and internal medicine; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 9.56 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57-65.2]. Respondents who had used the Certificate of Urgency before had 4.7 times more knowledge as compared to those who had not used it at all; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.77 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.021-14.01].Knowledge of Certificate of Urgency was generally low. Authorities of the various hospitals should organize regular in-service training to enlighten all healthcare workers on the legislation governing mental healthcare in Ghana.

Authors & Co-authors:  Anokye Reindolf R Acheampong Enoch E Gyamfi Naomi N Budu-Ainooson Amy A Kyei Ernest Appiah EA

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Herrman H. The need for mental health promotion. Aust NZ J Psychiatry. 2001;35(6):709–715. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1614.2001.00947.x.
Authors :  5
Identifiers
Doi : 37
SSN : 1752-4458
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Certificate of urgency;Health workers;Knowledge;Mental health legislation
Study Design
Descriptive Study,Case Study,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Ghana
Publication Country
England