About

Dr. Gladys Dzansi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Adult Health at the University of Ghana, bringing over 25 years of distinguished experience in nursing practice, education, and research. With a PhD in Nursing from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, she has established herself as a dynamic scholar, mentor, and healthcare innovator committed to improving lives through evidence-based education and person-centred care.
 She currently serves as the focal person for the sandwich graduate program at the School of Nursing and Midwifery and immediate past chair for the Palliative Care Faculty at the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives.

Her research portfolio includes over 30 peer-reviewed publications spanning HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis, healthcare technology, and palliative care. She has led and contributed to multiple high-impact international research collaborations. Notably, she worked on a Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) grant to strengthen palliative care education, and she is a co-investigator on an ongoing four-year UKRI Medical Research Council-funded project advancing community-based, person-centred care for people living with HIV in Ghana. In addition, she is a partner on a transdisciplinary global health research project with the FLI Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, focusing on mobility and zoonotic disease interfaces.

Dr. Dzansi brings methodological strength in intervention studies, qualitative research, and systematic reviews. As an educator and mentor, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of nurses and midwives in Ghana and beyond. Her commitment to teaching excellence and social impact has been recognized through awards such as the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship.

Her global engagements have taken her to academic and professional platforms across Canada, Mexico, Sweden, Singapore, South Africa, and Germany. With a pragmatic orientation, Dr. Dzansi is widely respected for her ability to translate research into practical solutions that strengthen health systems and improve patient outcomes. Her career exemplifies a deep dedication to transformative nursing leadership, innovation, and social responsiveness.

Education and Qualification

Dr. Dzansi’s academic journey reflects a steadfast commitment to lifelong learning and professional excellence. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Nursing and Psychology, a Master of Philosophy in Nursing, and earned her PhD in 2017 in Nursing from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

Research Areas

• Infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, TB, Hepatitis B, etc)
• Palliative care
• Nursing informatics
• Wellbeing and occupational health (Adult and vulnerable populations)
• Migration and migrant health
• Surgery and trauma care

Research Projects

Award and Achievement

Associate Fellow, Academy of International Affairs NRW, Germany
Fellowship award recipient  Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship, Canada
Fellowship award recipient, Fogarty AIDS International Research Training Program

Research Grants

1. Co-Investigator: Transforming transboundary animal disease control, and health and social services delivery for mobile livestock farmers in West Africa (TACHLE) (Phase I completed), Volkswagen Foundation (Phase I) €50,000. Principal Investigator: Dietze, Klaas
2. Co-Principal investigator and Project manager: ExtraCeCI: A cluster randomized controlled trial of community-based person-centered enhanced care for people living with HIV/AIDS in Ghana. UKRI Medical Research Council grant of £1,463,809.36. Principal Investigator: Dr. Mary Abboah-Offei
3. Co-Principal investigator: Supporting nurses’ palliative care education in Ghana, Uganda, New Zealand, and the UK. Project Fund of £18,000. Principal Investigator: Stephanie Ejegi-Memeh
4. Co-Principal Investigator: Transition and Innovation in Nursing and Midwifery Research, Practice, Education, and Policy in Ghana. Nurses and Midwifery Council of Ghana. Principal Investigator: Prof. Lydia Aziato
5. Principal Investigator: Validation of Multimethod adherence tool in Client on Antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Korle Bu with a grant from ORID (completed project)
6. Principal Investigator: 2013-2017: Integrated mobile phone intervention for improving ART adherence in HIV clients (doctoral thesis with funding from Fogarty AITRP/Brown University, completed project)

Ongoing Research

1. ExtraCECI: A cluster randomized controlled trial of community-based person-centered enhanced care for people living with HIV/AIDS in Ghana.

This study investigates the persisting distressing symptoms and concerns encountered by PLWHA despite medication adherence, emphasizing the importance of a holistic (looking at the problem from multiple perspectives) approach to improving their Quality of life. A short study (feasibility trial) undertaken earlier in Ghana explored a new strategy to care evaluation and delivery known as Community-based Enhanced Care Intervention (CECI), with an emphasis on participant recruitment and retention for a future larger study. Healthcare Providers (HCPs) reported that the CECI technique was safe, comfortable, and useful. The trial successfully recruited and kept participants for the current, larger investigation (definitive trial) called ExtraCECI. The study's goal is to perform a cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) to assess the effectiveness of the community-based enhanced care intervention (ExtraCECI) against standard HIV care in improving quality of life and person-centred outcomes for PLWHA in Ghana. A parallel cluster randomised controlled study will compare ExtraCECI to standard HIV care, based on Phase 3 of the MRC guidelines for creating and evaluating complex interventions. The study will recruit and randomise 650 PLWHA from 26 community HIV clinics in Ghana's Greater Accra Region, following eligibility checks and informed consent. Data will be collected at baseline 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after randomisation. The analysis will use a mixed linear model with a covariance pattern to compare MOS-HIV scores between groups, using a covariance pattern mixed linear model incorporating all post-randomisation time points and adjusting for baseline scores, among others. The study will last for 48 months. The ExtraCECI initiative aims to significantly impact HIV services by demonstrating how it can enhance the quality of life and person-centered outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). It's a fully costed manual that outlines sustainable, person-centered HIV care delivery methods, while all other resources will be freely available for download.

1. Transforming transboundary animal disease control, and health and social services delivery for mobile livestock farmers in West Africa (TACHLE)

Mobile livestock farmers (MLFs) or pastoralists remain key partners in efforts to control transboundary animal diseases (TADs) in Africa due to their seasonal mobility. This mobility aims to promote adequate feeding resources for their livestock and avoid conflicts. The West African humid region is a favored destination for MLFs due to its abundant grazing resources and market potential. Even sedentary pastoralists often provide shepherding services to emerging local livestock owners.

Despite their pivotal role in the livestock production system in West Africa, MLFs face challenges with societal integration and access to essential services, including animal and public health care. Indeed, with a low regional livestock vaccination coverage, unregulated animal movements exacerbate TADs transmission, leading to a high disease burden. The high disease burden contributes to antimicrobial misuse by farmers, leading to the development of resistant pathogens in the food chain and public health system. Ineffective disease management further leads to high livestock mortalities and has been shown to induce psychosocial problems among livestock farmers. TACHLE aims to evaluate the living conditions and practices of MLFs that facilitate TAD risks in the livestock system, and identify mechanisms through which animal and public health services could be enhanced for better wellbeing of MLFs, and public food security. By working with mobile communities and local authorities in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, this project will bring together the expertise of a consortium of human, animal, environment and social scientists to enhance TADs control, and evaluate innovative, user-friendly tools to improve MLFs’ access to routine health services alongside mental and nutrition health services. We will additionally develop research capacity in the partner countries in integrated and transdisciplinary research approaches, supporting the development of early- and mid-career scientists addressing TADs.

Publications

Publications in peer reviewed journals

Aarah-Bapuah, M., Sarpomaa Oppong, S., Ohenewaa Yawson, A., Dzansi, G., & Adjorlolo, S. (2022). Covid-19 and mental health of children and adolescents: A systematic review. Cogent Psychology, 9(1), 2111849.

Abuosi, A. A., Kwadan, A. N., Anaba, E. A., Daniels, A. A., & Dzansi, G. (2022). Number of students in clinical placement and the quality of the clinical learning environment: A cross-sectional study of nursing and midwifery students. Nurse Education Today, 108, 105168.

Acheampong, A. K., Ohene, L. A., Asante, I. N. A., Kyei, J., Dzansi, G., Adjei, C. A., ... & Aziato, L. (2021). Nurses’ and midwives’ perspectives on participation in national policy development, review and reforms in Ghana: a qualitative study. BMC Nursing, 20(1), 1-10.

Adjei, C. A., Ampem, K. D., Dzansi, G., Tenkorang-Twum, D., & Klutse, K. D. (2024). Health-Seeking Behavior of Persons with Chronic Hepatitis B in Peri-Urban Ghana: Application of the Health Belief Model. SAGE Open, 14(2), 21582440241254167. (Corresponding author)

Ahenkorah, A. Y., Dzansi, G., & Adjei, C. A. (2022). Cognitive and emotional illness representation of people with chronic hepatitis B in Ghana: A qualitative inquiry. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 09564624221107791.

Akortiakuma, M. J. K., Dzansi, G., & Aziato, L. (2022). Psychological well-being of patients recovering from abdominal surgery: A qualitative study. Perioperative Care and Operating Room Management, 26, 100228. (CORRESPONDING AUTHOR)

Amadu, A. B., Konlan, K. D., Amadu, J. B., & Dzansi, G. (2025). Treatment Adherence and Quality of Life of Adults Living With Hypertension in Rural Ghana. Nursing Open, 12(3), e70198.

 Attigah, I., Boakye, D. S., & Dzansi, G. (2025). Family caregivers motivations and behavioral strategies for enhancing retention on antiretroviral treatment among school-age children living with HIV in Ghana: a qualitative study. Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/15381501.2025.2475387

Biney, A., Sarfo, J. O., Poku, C. A., Deegbe, D. A., Atibila, F., Ti-enkawol Nachinab, G., Dzansi G... & Attafuah, P. Y. A. (2024). Challenges and coping strategies when caring for terminally ill persons with cancer: perspectives of family caregivers. BMC Palliative Care, 23(1), 175.

Boakye, A. S., Dzansi, G., Ofosu-Poku, R., Ansah, M. O., Owusu, A. K., Anyane, G., ... & Salifu, Y. (2024). Perspectives of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Readiness for Advance Care Planning at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana. The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 97(2), 115-124.

Boakye, D. S., Setordzi, M., Dzansi, G., & Adjorlolo, S. (2024). Mental health burden among females living with HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. PLOS Global Public Health, 4(2), e0002767.

Boateng, S. A., Okyere, J., Attafuah, P. Y., & Dzansi, G. (2024). Institutional drivers for integrating palliative care services in a hospital in a sub-Saharan African military hospital context. Palliative Care and Social Practice. (Corresponding author)

Dartey, A. F., Dzansi, G., Akortiakumah, J. K., Asiamah, E. A., Raji, A. S., & Osei, S. (2022). A qualitative study on the biological hazards associated with mortuary work: the Ghanaian perspective. Journal of Hospital Infection.

Dartey, A. F., Dzansi, G., Atachie Sr, C., Sunnu, E., & Nyande, F. K. (2021). The Experiences of Ghanaian Midwives on the Use of Nonadjustable Delivery Beds: A Qualitative Study. SAGE Open Nursing, 7, 23779608211038204.

Dartey, A. F., Dzansi, G., Ohene, L. A., Salia, S. M., Sarpong, E., & Armah-Kessey, M. (2023). Experiences of Nurses Caring for Children Under Five Years with Burns at a Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Nursing & Midwifery Research Journal, 0974150X231204172. (Corresponding author)

Dartey, A. F., Lasidji, B. N., Baku, E., Worna Lotse, C., Kuug, A. K., & Dzansi, G. (2022). A Descriptive Exploratory Study of the Causes and Effects of Hypertension Among Ghanaian Soldiers and Their Families. SAGE Open Nursing, 8, 23779608221129130.

Dartey, Anita Fafa, Gladys Dzansi, Felix Kwasi Nyande, Wisdom Kwasi Mensah Avor, Portia Pomaa, Nathaniel Glover-Meni, and John Kwasi Akortiakumah. "Perception of Dieners Regarding Social Acceptance and the Right to Work: A Qualitative Study." SAGE Open 14, no. 1 (2024): 21582440241227673.

Dzansi, G., Chipps, J., & Lartey, M. (2020). Use of mobile phone among patients with HIV/AIDS in a low-middle income setting: a descriptive exploratory study. Behaviour & Information Technology, 1-9.

Dzansi, G., Tornu, E., & Chipps, J. (2020). Promoters and inhibitors of treatment adherence among HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Ghana: Narratives from an underserved population. PloS one, 15(3), e0230159.

Iddrisu, M., Poku, C. A., Mensah, E., Attafuah, P. Y., Dzansi, G., & Adjorlolo, S. (2023). Work-related psychosocial challenges and coping strategies among the nursing workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review. BMC nursing, 22(1), 210.

Click on the link for more publications:

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=UiEnb1sAAAAJ&hl=en 

https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55978579200 

Courses Taught

Undergraduate Courses

NURS 210: Survival Skills and Emergency Response

NURS 251: Introduction to Surgical Nursing

MIDW 204: Surgical Nursing

NURS 347 Nursing Informatics

GNUR 301 Peri-Operative

NURS 356: Palliative & Elderly Care

GNUR 404: Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgical Nursing

Postgraduate Courses

NURS 610: Seminar I 

NURS 620 Seminar II                                       

NURS 630: Seminar 

NURS 634: Evidence-Based Medical-Surgical Nursing

NURS 636: Theory Application in Clinical Practice

 NURS 709: Systematic Reviews in Healthcare

NURS 714: Mixed Methods Research