Barriers to Effective Genetic Counselling: Exploring Nurses' Knowledge and Cultural Competence in Ghana

Purpose: Despite the increasing prevalence of genetic disorders in sub-Saharan Africa, the provision of effective genetic counselling remains a significant challenge, partly due to the limited knowledge and cultural competence among nursing professionals. This study sought to investigate the barriers to effective genetic counselling among nurses in Ghana, with particular emphasis on examining how nurses’ general knowledge of genetic conditions and their cultural competence inform and shape their counselling practices. The research focused on two key healthcare institutions in Accra: The University of Ghana Hospital and the Achimota District Hospital. Methodology: A quantitative approach using a cross-sectional design was employed. The study targeted 317 registered nurses, from which a sample of 170 was selected through stratified random sampling. Data was collected using an adapted version of the Attitudes Scale for Mental Illness questionnaire. The data were analysed using linear regression analysis. Findings: The study found that nurses’ general knowledge of genetic conditions significantly and positively influences their genetic counselling practices, explaining 10.6% of the variance. Additionally, nurses’ cultural experiences were found to have a statistically significant but modest effect (2.8%) on their approach to genetic counselling. These results underscore the importance of enhancing genetic education and cultural competence in nursing to improve the quality of genetic care in Ghana's healthcare system. Unique Contributions to Theory, Practice, and Policy: This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of how cultural competence intersects with genetic knowledge to influence attitudes and practices in healthcare. It underscores the need for integrating cultural and genetic education into nursing training programs to enhance patient-centred care. From a policy perspective, the findings advocate for developing and implementing policies that support continuous genetic education and culturally competent care within the nursing profession in Ghana and similar contexts.