Nurses' role in the management of patients living with hypertension in a district hospital in Ghana: a qualitative study.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Adult Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana.
- 2Department of Adult Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana. [email protected].
- 3Department of Public Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana.
- 4Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Gushegu, Nursing Box Gu 13, Gushegu, Ghana.
Abstract
Background
Hypertension is a chronic condition characterised by persistently high blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Its management remains challenging in low- and middle-income countries due to limited awareness, lifestyle-related risk factors, and restricted access to healthcare. In Ghana, rapid urbanisation and dietary transitions toward processed foods have intensified this burden. This study aims to explore the role of nurses in managing patients with hypertension in Ghana.Methods
This qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted between January and September 2025 with 15 participants at Ga West Municipal Hospital in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The participants were selected by a purposive sampling method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis following a systematic process involving data familiarisation, generation of initial codes, categorisation of codes into subthemes, development of overarching themes, and validation of findings to ensure credibility and consistency.Results
Data analysis yielded three main themes and 10 subthemes. The themes included nurses' knowledge of hypertension management, nurses' experiences in managing hypertension and community and follow-up support. Under nurses' knowledge of hypertension management, the sub-themes identified were understanding of hypertension, initial assessment and blood pressure monitoring, pharmacological interventions, and counselling and discharge planning. For nurses' experiences in managing hypertension, the sub-themes comprised the use of clinical guidelines and protocols and challenges encountered in practice. Under community and follow-up support systems, the sub-themes included peer support groups, follow-up via telephone calls, community pharmacies and clinics, and telehealth services. Nurses play a critical role in hypertension management; however, their practice is hindered by limited knowledge, systemic constraints and weak community linkages. Enhancing nurses' competencies through regular professional training, access to updated evidence-based guidelines, adequate staffing and resources, and the integration of digital health tools can strengthen care delivery.Conclusions
These findings provide valuable insights into the roles and challenges of nurses in hypertension management within a municipal hospital setting. While the results may not be generalisable, they highlight areas for potential improvement, including strengthening professional training, improving access to evidence-based guidelines, and enhancing community follow-up systems. These considerations may inform future research, policy discussions, and practice improvements in similar resource-limited settings.
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BibTeX
@article{amoako2026nurses,
title = {{Nurses' role in the management of patients living with hypertension in a district hospital in Ghana: a qualitative study.}},
author = {Bridget Amoako and Cecilia Eliason and Menford Owusu Ampomah and Luke Laari and Alhassan Hassan and Euphemia Tumpi and Joy Georgette La Bulley and Paul Kolbugri},
journal = {BMC nursing},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12912-026-05121-w},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928248},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Nurses' role in the management of patients living with hypertension in a district hospital in Ghana: a qualitative study.
AU - Bridget Amoako
AU - Cecilia Eliason
AU - Menford Owusu Ampomah
AU - Luke Laari
AU - Alhassan Hassan
AU - Euphemia Tumpi
AU - Joy Georgette La Bulley
AU - Paul Kolbugri
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/27
JO - BMC nursing
DO - 10.1186/s12912-026-05121-w
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928248
AB - Background Hypertension is a chronic condition characterised by persistently high blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Its management remains challenging in low- and middle-income countries due to limited awareness, lifestyle-related risk factors, and restricted access to healthcare. In Ghana, rapid urbanisation and dietary transitions toward processed foods have intensified this burden. This study aims to explore the role of nurses in managing patients with hypertension in Ghana.Methods This qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted between January and September 2025 with 15 participants at Ga West Municipal Hospital in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The participants were selected by a purposive sampling method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis following a systematic process involving data familiarisation, generation of initial codes, categorisation of codes into subthemes, development of overarching themes, and validation of findings to ensure credibility and consistency.Results Data analysis yielded three main themes and 10 subthemes. The themes included nurses' knowledge of hypertension management, nurses' experiences in managing hypertension and community and follow-up support. Under nurses' knowledge of hypertension management, the sub-themes identified were understanding of hypertension, initial assessment and blood pressure monitoring, pharmacological interventions, and counselling and discharge planning. For nurses' experiences in managing hypertension, the sub-themes comprised the use of clinical guidelines and protocols and challenges encountered in practice. Under community and follow-up support systems, the sub-themes included peer support groups, follow-up via telephone calls, community pharmacies and clinics, and telehealth services. Nurses play a critical role in hypertension management; however, their practice is hindered by limited knowledge, systemic constraints and weak community linkages. Enhancing nurses' competencies through regular professional training, access to updated evidence-based guidelines, adequate staffing and resources, and the integration of digital health tools can strengthen care delivery.Conclusions These findings provide valuable insights into the roles and challenges of nurses in hypertension management within a municipal hospital setting. While the results may not be generalisable, they highlight areas for potential improvement, including strengthening professional training, improving access to evidence-based guidelines, and enhancing community follow-up systems. These considerations may inform future research, policy discussions, and practice improvements in similar resource-limited settings.
SN - 1472-6955
ER -