Child protection in Ghana : Exploring the perception and behaviour of radiographers.

This study, which was in two Phases, sought to explore the cultural understanding amongst Ghanaian radiographers of the concepts of child abuse and child protection (Phase 1) and how they perceived and participated in child protection within the health system in Ghana (Phase 2). Data was collected using phenomenological methodology. Open ended questionnaires were used in Phase 1 and semi-structured interviews in Phase 2. Participants were radiographers who were selected using purposive sampling. Data was thematically analysed and managed with NVivo Version 10. Themes developed formed the basis of the discussion. Results showed that participants understood the concepts of child abuse and child protection differently. The majority of participants sought further information through history taking to gain insight into child's diagnosis. Participants were found to trade their professional values against their behavioural beliefs in culture and superstition by indicating the fear of spiritual attacks when they intervened to help a child. Participants reported barriers such as training deficits, lack of knowledge in reporting regulations, and the absence of a framework or structures in place to guide child physical abuse management. The results showed that the majority of participants were ignorant of the role of the social worker in identified child physical abuse. Additionally, there was no teamwork in the majority of the hospitals in the management of child physical abuse. From the various findings, this study argues that the apparent unanimity of child abuse definition was inconclusive in this setting. The meanings assigned to child protection by participants contradicted their behaviour towards child protection.Participants' behaviour towards child protection was congruent with the theory of panned behaviour and social exchange theory. Fear, lack of direction and collaboration characterised the management of child physical abuse.