Exploring The Wellbeing Of Men Post Prostatectomy In The Ho Municipality, Ghana.

ABSTRACT Men who had prostatectomy are confronted with several negative health issues, some of which include pain, fatigue, sexual and urinary dysfunctions among others. The purpose of the study was to explore the wellbeing of men post prostatectomy in the Ho municipality in the Volta region of Ghana. The Quality of Life Model Applied to Cancer by Betty Ferrell (1995) was the organizing framework for this study. A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was employed. A purposive sampling technique was used and data was saturated with 13 participants. Data were collected with a semi-structured interview guide. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. During the study, anonymity and confidentiality were ensured. The four themes specified by the model; the physical, social, psychological and spiritual well-being of cancer survivors were identified. Emerging themes were spousal support, complementary and alternative sources of treatment and life satisfaction. Most of the men experienced body pain, sleep disruption, fatigue, constipation and impaired bladder control. Their social wellbeing was affected by isolation, financial burden, secrecy, sexual dysfunctions and employment challenges. Psychologically, the men expressed fears and anxiety, experienced uncertainty and were depressed. Spiritually, men sought meaning to their illness by questioning God, they became more religious, and had hope that they will be better. They enjoyed tremendous support from their spouses. Men who survived prostate cancer resorted to complementary and alternative sources of treatment in the quest of getting a panacea for their illness. It was recommended that men be counselled and educated. In Conclusion, prostatectomy precipitated a lot of physical, psychological, social and spiritual lifelong challenges to men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.