Staff

Dr. Alhassan Sibdow Abukari

Senior Lecturer

Contact Info Email: asabukari@ug.edu.gh

About

I am a nurse scientist with over eighteen years of combined experiences in clinical practice, nursing education, and research. My work focuses on improving the health and development of children and their families through evidence-based interventions. My research interests include Paediatrics and infectious Disease Control, Nursing Education, Maternal Health, and Perinatal Epidemiology. I adopt a pragmatic worldview, employing mixed methods approaches to investigate paediatrics health system and maternal health challenges. I have contributed to knowledge in these areas through the development of family-centred care models, postnatal immunization practices, and essential newborn care interventions. I am also interested in the mentorship of the next generation of nursing and midwifery professionals across the globe.

Education and Qualification

  • PhD in Nursing, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (July 2019 – July 2022)
  • MPhil in Community Health, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana (September 2012 – March 2015)
  • BSc Nursing, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana (August 2009 – July 2011)
  • Diploma in General Nursing, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana (June 2008 – January 2009)
  • Registered General Nursing License, Tamale Nurses’ Training College and Nursing and Midwifery Council, Ghana (October 2003 – September 2006)

Research Areas

  • Paediatrics and Child Health
  • Perinatal Epidemiology
  • Family-centred Care
  • Maternal Health
  • Nursing Education
  • Community Health (Infectious Disease Control)

Research Projects

  1. Lead consultant and Facilitator for a two-day training of registered Nurses and Midwives in Fundamentals of Paediatric Critical Care (13-14th November 2025)

  2. Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons Annual Conference, 2013 – Conference Role: Project Member and Presenter

    Title of Presentation: Rapid reduction in malaria and anaemia-related deaths through multiple facility interventions in SDA Hospital, Tamale–Ghana (Project Five Alive).

    Citation: Abukari, A. S., et al. (2013). Rapid reduction in malaria/anaemia-related deaths through multiple facility interventions in SDA Hospital, Tamale–Ghana No. PD 11. In

    Quality Improvement Strategies. Accra: Institute for Healthcare Improvement, USA, pp. 10–

    11. Available at http://www.ihi.org/.

  3. Research for Good Conference, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022 – Conference

    Title of Presentation: A model of family-centred care at the neonatal and paediatric intensive care setting in Ghana.

    Citation: Abukari, A. S., & Schmollgruber, S. (2022). A model of family-centred care at the neonatal and paediatric intensive care setting in Ghana. Poster presented at the Research for Good Conference, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

  4. Department of Family Medicine Academic Workshop, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, 2025 – Conference

    Title of Workshop: Academic and Manuscript Writing Skills: Structuring Manuscripts for Academic Publication.

  5. Abukari, A. S., & Schmollgruber, S. (2025). Integrating family-centred care into neonatal

    intensive care in Ghana: A constructivist model. Paper presented at the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress, Helsinki, Finland.

  6. Abukari, A. S., & Mohammed, S. (2024). Maternal perceptions of neonatal infection prevention practices in Ghanaian hospitals. Abstract presented at the Ghana Health Service Annual Research Conference, Accra, Ghana.

  7. Abukari, A. S., & David Tenkorang-Twum. (2024). Anaesthesia disparities and

    perioperative safety across multilevel facilities in Ghana. Paper presented at the Africa Health Congress, Johannesburg, South Africa.

  8. Abukari, A. S., Afaya, A., & Schmollgruber, S. (2023). Designing a family-centred care

    framework for neonatal intensive care units in low-resource settings. Presented at the World Congress of Neonatal Nursing, Cape Town, South Africa.

  9. Abukari, A. S., & Christmals, C. D. (2022). Integrating social and technical systems in

    paediatric nursing education. Presented at the International Nursing Education Conference, Windhoek, Namibia.

  10. Abukari, A. S., & Mohammed, S. (2021). Predictors of postnatal immunization coverage among mothers in Ghana. Paper presented at the Ghana Public Health Association Conference, Tamale, Ghana.
  11. Abukari, A. S., & Christmals, C. D (2020). Training needs of midwives in essential newborn care: A cross-sectional survey. Presented at the West African College of Nurses Scientific Conference, Lagos, Nigeria.

Publications

  1. Journal Articles
    1. Abukari ,A.S, E .K Korsah , E .F Okworu , L. Mensah , I. S. Haruna , Domains of Maternal Knowledge and Practices in Essential Newborn Care in Urban Ghana: A Factor Analysis, Midwifery (2025), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2025.104666
    2. Kudu, D., Annan, E., Abukari, A. S., & Naab, F. (2025). Maternal stress and coping experiences in neonatal intensive care units: A qualitative study in the Greater Accra Metropolis. * Nursing in Critical Care, 30*(6), e70230. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.70230
    3. Korsah, E. K., Schmollgruber, S., & Abukari, A. S. (2025). Bereaved families’ experiences of treatment withdrawal and end‐of‐life care in the intensive care unit: An exploratory‐descriptive qualitative study. Nursing in Critical Care, 30(6). https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.7018.
    4. Abukari, A. S., Agyeibi, E., Adobea, C., Haruna, I. S., & Korsah, E. K. (2025). Navigating preterm motherhood: Perceived support and coping strategies in neonatal intensive care units. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2025.101742.
    5. Maimela, K. B., Abukari, A. S., Korsah, E. K., & Schmollgruber, S. (2025). South African emergency nurses’ perceptions and experiences of workplace violence: A qualitative study. International Emergency Nursing, 101694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2025.101694.
    6. Abukari, A. S., Gaddah, R., Ayivor, E. V., Haruna, I. S., & Korsah, E. K. (2025). Assessing postnatal immunisation services in a low-resource setting: A cross-sectional survey. Healthcare, 13(12), 1389. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13121389.
    7. Abukari, A. S., & Schmollgruber, S. (2025). Developing conceptual guidelines for family-centered care for standard ICU practice: A constructivist grounded theory. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 80, e95–e103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2024.11.025.
    8. Abukari, A. S., & Schmollgruber, S. (2024). Perceived causes and interventions for preventing baby abandonment in NICUs: A thematic analysis. Journal of Neonatal Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2024.11.008.
  2. Acheampong, A. K., & Abukari, A. S. (2024). Myths about breastfeeding as voiced by lactating nurses and midwives: A qualitative study in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. SAGE Open Nursing, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608231226068.
    1. Abukari, A. S., & Schmollgruber, S. (2024). Perceived barriers of family-centred care in neonatal intensive care units: A qualitative study. Nursing in Critical Care. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.13031.
    2. Mohammed, S., Afaya, A., & Abukari, A. S. (2023). Reading, singing, and storytelling: The impact of caregiver-child interactive engagement, child access to books and preschool on early childhood development in Ghana. Scientific Reports, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38439-5.
    3. Abukari, A. S., & Schmollgruber, S. (2023). Concepts of family-centered care at the neonatal and paediatric intensive care units: A scoping literature review. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2023.04.005.
    4. Abukari, A. S., Acheampong, A. K., & Aziato, L. (2022). Experiences and contextual practices of family-centred care in Ghanaian NICUs: A qualitative study of families and clinicians. BMC Health Services Research, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08425-0.
    5. Afaya, A., Abukari, A. S., & Mohammed, S. (2022). Prevalence and factors associated with the awareness of obstetric fistula among women of reproductive age in The Gambia: A multilevel fixed effects analysis. BMC Public Health, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14107-7.
    6. Abukari, A. S., & Acheampong, A. (2022). Breastfeeding practices and coping strategies adopted by lactating nurses and midwives: A qualitative study. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2022.05.017.
  3. Mohammed, S., Abukari, A. S., & Afaya, A. (2022). The impact of intrapartum and immediate postpartum complications, and mother-newborn skin-to-skin contact after birth on breastfeeding initiation in Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 434, 1–5.
    1. Acheampong, A. K., & Abukari, A. S. (2021). Nurses’ and midwives’ perspectives on how the pursuit for the ‘perfect’ body image affects their own breastfeeding practices: A qualitative study in Ghana. International Breastfeeding Journal, 16(83).https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-021-00421-0.
  4. Abukari, A. S., & Acheampong, A. K. (2021). Feeding the critically ill child in intensive care units: A descriptive qualitative study in two tertiary hospitals in Ghana. BMCPediatrics, 21(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02854-2.
    1. Abukari, A. S., Awuni, N., Yakubu, I., Mohammed, S., Yakubu, A., & Yakubu, S. (2021). Factors associated with low fifth minute Apgar score in term and preterm singleton live births in a Ghanaian hospital. Journal of Neonatal Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2021.06.011.
    2. Ameade, E. P. K., Amalba, A., Abukari, A. S., & Mohammed, B. S. (2014). Reducing the effects of adverse drug reactions: Assessing knowledge and attitudes of nurses in Tamale, Ghana. Asian Journal of Pharmacy, Nursing and Medical Sciences, 2(6), 116124. https://doi.org/10.24203/ajpnms.v2i6.1687.g1074.
  5. Books
    1. Abukari, A. S. (2024). Paediatric Nursing (2nd ed.). Accra: Possibility Printing & Publishing Services. ISBN: 978-9988-3-4299-9. Deposited at George Padmore Library on African Affairs, Ghana Library Authority.
    2. Abukari, A. S. (2022). Medicine and Medical Nursing I (1st ed.). Accra: Neks Superior Services. ISBN: 978-9988-3-4299-9. Deposited at George Padmore Library.
    3. Abukari, A. S. (2022). Medicine and Medical Nursing II (1st ed.). Accra: Neks Superior Services. ISBN: 978-9988-3-4300-2. Deposited at George Padmore Library.
    4. Abukari, A. S. (2022). Fundamentals of Medical Nursing II (1st ed.). Accra: Neks Superior Services. ISBN: 978-9988-3-4298-2. Deposited at George Padmore Library. Role: Sole author.
    5. Abukari, A. S. (2022). Medicine and Medical Nursing III (1st ed.). Accra: Neks Superior Services. ISBN: 978-9988-3-4301-9. Deposited at George Padmore Library.
    6. Abukari, A. S. (2022). Principles of Disease Management and Control (1st ed.). Accra: Neks Superior Services. ISBN: 978-9988-3-4306-6. Deposited at George Padmore Library.
  6. Articles Under Review
    1. Abukari, A. S., & Schmollgruber, S. (2024). Development and psychometric properties of a Family-Centred Care Instrument for NICUs and PICUs: A factor analysis. BMC Pediatrics.
    2. Abukari, A. S., Schmollgruber, S., David Tenkorang-Twum. (2025). Disparities in anaesthesia practice across 33 multilevel healthcare facilities in Ghana: Implications for perioperative safety. Anaesthesia
    3. Abukari, A. S., Schmollgruber, S., David Tenkorang-Twum. (2025). The Role of Anaesthetic Documentation in Enhancing Perioperative Care in Low-Resource Settings: Evidence from Ghana, International Journal of Nursing Science
    4. Gondwe, W.T.M, A.S, Abukari, Schmollgruber, S., & Korsah, E. K. (2025). Patients’ and Families’ Experiences of Psychosocial Care During Transition from the Intensive Care Unit to the General Ward. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
    5. A.S, Abukari, Schmollgruber, S., & Korsah, E. K. (2025). Challenges and coping strategies of parents with children undergoing surgery for congenital heart defect: an integrative review. Journal of Pediatric Nursing
    6. A.S, Abukari, & E. Annan. (2025). Barriers to Maternal Adherence to Infection Prevention and Control Practices in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study. BMC Pediatric
    7. A.S, Abukari, D.A. Deegbe, & S. Adjorlolo (2025). Living the Journey: Caregivers’ Experiences of Raising Children with Intellectual Disabilities in Ghana. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities
    8. Abukari, A. S., Korsah, E. K., Edward .O. (2025). Barriers and facilitators to Timely Postnatal Immunization Utilization in an Urban Ghanaian Clinic: A factor analysis. Scientific Reports
  7. Theses

    1. PhD Thesis (Graduated July 2022)

      Abukari, A. S. (2023). A model of family-centred care at the paediatric and neonatal

      intensive care setting in Ghana. PhD Nursing Thesis, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/35752.

      Supervisor: Prof. Shelley Schmollgruber.

    2. MPhil Thesis (Graduated March 2015)

      Abukari, A. S. (2015). Measles elimination in the Sagnarigu District: Progress, challenges, and prospects for rubella control in Ghana. MPhil Community Health Thesis, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.

      Supervisor: Prof. Juventus B. Ziem.

      (Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=l7IMQx8AAAAJ)

      Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57225038686

Courses Taught

Undergraduate Courses (2018–2025)

  • Management of Paediatric Medical Conditions (University of Ghana)
    • Medical Nursing I, II, and III (Wisconsin International University College)
    • Principles of Disease Management and Control I–III
  • Physiology and Management of High-risk Neonates

Postgraduate Courses (2024–2025)

  • Management of Paediatric Medical Conditions (University of Ghana)
    • Nursing Leadership and Administration (Wisconsin International University College)
    • Foundations of Public Health (GIMPA)
    • Applied Occupational Health and Safety (GIMPA)
    • Integrating Health and Safety Culture into Organisations (GIMPA)

Graduate Supervision

  1. PhD and MPhil Supervision (University of Ghana, North-West University, Wits University, UNISA, Wisconsin International University College)

Supervised and co-supervised over 5 graduate theses in Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Professions Education. Research topics include maternal health, intensive and critical care, neonatal resuscitation, infertility, clinical education, and health systems policy.

  1. Undergraduate Supervision

    Supervised more than 30 undergraduate research projects addressing issues in paediatric care, maternal health, evidence-based practice, telemedicine, and student wellbeing.