Lived experiences of mothers caring for children with congenital anomalies at the Upper East Regional Hospital, Ghana: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

A congenital anomaly is a structural malfunction that develops while the individual is in utero which include congenital lip/palate malformation, congenital heart disease, down syndrome, and spina bifida. Although caregivers’ burden of such problems has been widely researched throughout the world, limited research has been done on how the experience of being a mother to a child with a congenital problem depends on the specific sociocultural environment, especially from a perspective of religion, gender and culture. The current study seeks to examine the experiences of mothers of children with congenital abnormalities at the Upper East Regional Hospital, Ghana. This study adopted a qualitative phenomenological research design, specifically utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), to explore the lived experiences of mothers caring for children diagnosis of congenital Anomalies at the Upper East Regional Hospital in 2022. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to identify commonalities and unique variations in the socio-cultural influences on maternal experiences. Cultural beliefs shaped mothers’ experiences, with anomalies often attributed to spiritual causes, leading to stigma for some and coping strength for others. Gender roles placed caregiving predominantly on mothers, causing emotional strain and limited spousal support. Religious beliefs further influenced coping and care decisions, sometimes conflicting with medical advice. Culturally sensitive support programmes are recommended. This study offers valuable insights for both academics and practitioners, highlighting the importance of empathetic, culturally sensitive approaches to supporting mothers within this distinct socio-cultural setting.