The predictors of treatment pathways to mental health services among consumers in Ghana

Abstract

Purpose: To explore factors influencing treatment pathways to mental health services among consumers in Ghana.

Design and methods: Cross-sectional design using quantitative method.

Findings: Treatment pathways for mental illness were general hospitals/clinics, psychiatric hospitals, and faith-based practices. The predisposing (age, household size, primary occupation, ethnicity, marital status, religion, and geographic location, as well as attitudes and beliefs), enabling (affordability), and need factors (severity of mental illness) were significant predictors of treatment pathways.

Practice implications: Current advocacy and awareness for mental health services in Ghana should consider the predisposing, enabling, and need factors of consumers. Policy initiatives on mental health services should ensure adequate financing mechanisms and further establish collaboration between biomedical and faith-based services.

Keywords: Ghana; biomedical treatment; mental health services; treatment pathways.