State of dietetics practice in Ghana

Area of Science:

• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Public Health
• Healthcare Workforce Studies

Background:

• Rising prevalence of obesity and diet-related diseases in Ghana.
• Essential role of dietitians in disease prevention and management.
• Limited understanding of the current dietetics landscape in Ghana.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the historical evolution of dietetics practice in Ghana.
• To assess the current state of dietetics practice, including workforce distribution and challenges.
• To identify unmet needs for dietetic services across Ghana.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods approach utilizing questionnaires and key informant interviews.
• Data collected from 13 dietitians, 6 interns, 4 retired dietitians, 2 educators, and 6 association/government officials.
• Content analysis of transcribed interviews and questionnaire responses.

Main Results:

• Dietetic practice has advanced from catering services to specialized diet therapy.
• Significant geographic maldistribution of dietitians, with 80% in Accra and none in three regions.
• Limited professional development opportunities and presence of unqualified practitioners.

Conclusions:

• A substantial unmet demand for dietitians exists across most regions of Ghana.
• Addressing the workforce gap is critical for improving access to dietetic care.
• Strategic interventions are needed to expand the dietetics workforce and ensure qualified practice.