Awareness and perception of patients on the Ghana patients’ rights charter at a mission hospital in Ashanti region, Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Respect for patients’ rights is essential to quality healthcare. Ghana’s Patient Rights Charter (PRC), launched in 2002, aims to protect and promote these rights. However, awareness and adherence remain uncertain, particularly in rural healthcare settings. Objective This study assessed the awareness of patients regarding their rights under the PRC, explored the influence of demographic factors on awareness levels, examined the perceived respect for patients’ rights, and identified challenges patients face in asserting their rights. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey involving 395 inpatients and outpatients selected through stratified and simple random sampling was conducted at Ahmadiya Mission Hospital, Effiduase Asokore. A structured questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed via SPSS version 26, which employs descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results Awareness of the PRC was relatively high, with 71.9% acknowledging that patients have legal rights. The Key sources of information were family/friends (35.2%), media (29.7%), and healthcare workers (21.8%). Statistically significant relationships were found between awareness and age (p = 0.000), marital status (p = 0.000), and education level (p = 0.030). Despite the overall good perception of rights being respected, 11.6% of the respondents experienced mistreatment. Major barriers to asserting rights included fear of victimization and lack of reporting knowledge. Conclusion While general awareness of the PRC is promising, gaps remain in terms of enforcement and education. Efforts to improve communication, training, and institutional culture are needed to support patient empowerment.