Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
WHO ARE WE?
We are a research project team with members from Ghana and the Netherlands. This team
was set up as part of an existing collaboration between the Severe Pre-eclampsia adverse
Outcome Triage (SPOT) studies and Action on Preeclampsia (APEC) Ghana, who work
towards the shared goal of improving care for women suffering from hypertensive disorders
of pregnancy (HDP).
WHAT ARE WE DOING?
We are performing a priority setting partnership (PSP) for HDP management in Ghana. A
PSP is a structured process that helps to identify topics that future research on a certain issue
should focus on. In a medical PSP, patients, their carers and clinicians with direct experience
with the condition are the ones to determine these priorities for research. This helps to guide
research in a conscientious direction.
WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
HDP account for almost 30% of maternal mortality in Ghana. Due to the relatively high maternal mortality rate in Ghana, HDP’s burden of disease is enormous. Research on HDP is crucial to reduce maternal and infant mortality in Ghana. However, the direction of research
has historically largely been determined by research institutes, funders, pharmaceutical
companies and insurers. To direct research in a direction that is relevant for the needs of
people that ultimately benefit from it, it is important to instead give a voice to those with lived or professional experience in the research agenda setting process, i.e. HDP patients,
their careers and clinicians.
HOW WILL WE DO IT?
- Largely following the James Lind Alliance Method for PSPs, we will circulate two
surveys among HDP patients, their carers and clinicians. The first one is to identify,
and the second one to prioritise the existing knowledge gaps regarding HDP
management in Ghana. These surveys will happen online, on paper and orally through
interviews and focus group discussions, in the Greater Accra Region, Northern,
Ashanti and Western region. - Through incorporation of the Research for Health Justice Ethical Toolkit,
establishment of an independent Advisory Committee, and a final discussion
workshop, we hope to ensure that every stakeholder’s voice is represented equitably. - To ensure that the result is actually translated into research projects, we also plan on
an extensive dissemination phase and engagement of research institutes for the full
project duration.
WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
HDP account for almost 30% of maternal mortality in Ghana. Due to the relatively high maternal mortality rate in Ghana, HDP’s burden of disease is enormous. Research on HDP is crucial to reduce maternal and infant mortality in Ghana. However, the direction of research
has historically largely been determined by research institutes, funders, pharmaceutical
companies and insurers. To direct research in a direction that is relevant for the needs of
people that ultimately benefit from it, it is important to instead give a voice to those with lived or professional experience in the research agenda setting process, i.e. HDP patients,
their careers and clinicians.
HOW WILL WE DO IT?
- Largely following the James Lind Alliance Method for PSPs, we will circulate two
surveys among HDP patients, their carers and clinicians. The first one is to identify,
and the second one to prioritise the existing knowledge gaps regarding HDP
management in Ghana. These surveys will happen online, on paper and orally through
interviews and focus group discussions, in the Greater Accra Region, Northern,
Ashanti and Western region. - Through incorporation of the Research for Health Justice Ethical Toolkit,
establishment of an independent Advisory Committee, and a final discussion
workshop, we hope to ensure that every stakeholder’s voice is represented equitably. - To ensure that the result is actually translated into research projects, we also plan on
an extensive dissemination phase and engagement of research institutes for the full
project duration.
The project team
| Name | Profession | Role in the project |
| Dora van Duijvendijk | Medical Student | Principal Investigator & Member Core Project Team |
| Jeffery Kodjo Arhin | Medical Doctor, MSc Global Health, PhD student | Co-investigator & Member Core Project Team |
| Koiwah Koi-Larbi | Executive Director APEC Ghana | Co-investigator & Member Core Project Team |
| Joyce Browne | Assistant Professor, Medical Doctor | Collaborator |
| Dorotheah Obiri | Research Fellow | Collaborator |
| Kwame Adu-Bonsaffoh | Obstetrician Gynecologist | Co-investigator |
| Titus Kofi Beyuo | PhD, Obstetrician Gynecologist | Co-investigator |
| Emmanuel Srofenyoh | Obstetrician Gynecologist | Co-investigator |
| Solomon Boamah | MSc Public Health | Co-investigator |
| Roos van Vliet | Medical Doctor | Co-investigator |
WHEN WILL WE DO IT?
The project is running from February until August 2024, with dissemination ongoing beyond this timeframe. We will follow this timeline:
