Abstract:
This study is aimed at finding out the impact of nurses’ cultural, professional
and personal experiences on genetic conditions of patients. Cross-sectional
analysis with a quantitative data collection system was used. A total of 170
nurses were selected to participate in the study, with 90 of them from Legon
Hospital and 80 from Achimota Hospital. The instrument used for data
collection was a 40-item questionnaire: 10 of the items covered demographic
data, while the remaining 30 items were in the form of a Likert-type scale. The
questionnaire was put into sections to conform to the research questions that
guided the study. The items yielded an internal reliability coefficient of .802.
The data were analysed using the One sample t-test of independence and the
Linear Regression analysis. The results showed that there is a significant
positive relationship between general knowledge on genetic conditions and
general knowledge on genetic counselling. Furthermore, knowledge of genetic
conditions and genetic counselling have significant influence on nurses’
attitude towards people with genetic conditions. Place of work also has an
impact on nurses’ attitude towards people with genetic conditions.
