Abstract:
In contemporary Ghana, several medical problems are being reported at the
general hospitals and clinics for treatment. Most of these medical problems are
accompanied by mental health problems. However, the mental health elements
of the medical conditions are usually neglected though researches have
demonstrated that the associated mental health problems can influence the
prognosis and the course of such illnesses. This study sought to explore the
relationships that exist between patients’ illness perception, religiosity and
their mental health. The target population of the study was all diabetic patients
attending a health facility numbering 250, seeking treatment for diabetes in the
Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana. A sample size of 103
diabetic patients from 250 patients was selected through the convenience
sampling technique from the population. Descriptive survey design involving
the quantitative approach was used in the study. Quantitative data were
gathered through questionnaires and were analyzed using descriptive statistics
(frequencies and percentages, means and standard deviation) and inferential
statistics (Pearson correlation and independent sample t-test). The study
revealed that, generally, diabetic patients’ in the metropolis have a high level
of religiosity. Again, result indicated that there was a negative correlation
between diabetic patients’ religiosity and their mental health (r=-.286**,
n=103, p<0.05, p=0.003, 2-tailed). Results also indicated that there was a
weak positive relationship between illness perception of diabetic patients and
their mental health(r=.080, n=103, p<0.05, p=0.421, 2-tailed). Based on the
findings, a holistic and comprehensive model of healthcare such as the
Biopsychosocial model should be incorporated at the various health centres
across the nation.
