A qualitative exploration of the spiritual wellbeing of women with advanced cervical cancer in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Spiritual wellbeing is one of the most important aspects of human health, alongside physical, psychological and social factors. Religiosity/spirituality can play a critical role in the lives of people experiencing life-threatening illnesses, such as cervical cancer. Most women with cervical cancer in Africa, including Ghana, are diagnosed at the advanced stage. These women lean on their spiritual connections for strength during their illness. Despite the fact that numerous studies have been conducted on the relevance of religiosity/spirituality in the experience of cancer in other jurisdictions, the same cannot be said about Ghana. The study aims to fill this gap in the literature. Aim: To explore the spiritual wellbeing of women diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer in Ghana. Method: A qualitative explorative design was employed, with purposive sampling used to recruit 15 women with advanced cervical cancer from a cancer treatment centre of a teaching hospital in Ghana. Individual face-to-face interviews, lasting between 45–90 minutes, were used to gather information. Interviews were audio taped with participants' consent. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings: The following sub-themes were identified within one overarching theme of the spiritual wellbeing of women with advanced cervical cancer: the meaning of illness and acceptance; a sense of hope and religiosity; uncertainty; and the will to live. Conclusion: Many participants believed they were bewitched, and the devil was responsible for their cervical cancer. Healthcare providers should adopt a multi-disciplinary approach and widen their care strategies to include spirituality, to enhance the treatment outcomes of women living with advanced cervical cancer.