This article is part of the series Africa's chronic disease burden: local and global perspectives, edited by Guest Editors: Dr Ama de-Graft Aikins (University of Cambridge), Prof Nigel Unwin (University of Newcastle), Dr Charles Agyemang (University of Amsterdam), Prof Pascale Allotey (Monash University), Prof Catherine Campbell (London School of Economics and Political Science), Dr Daniel K. Arhinful (University of Ghana) Editor-in-Chief: Dr Emma Pitchforth.

Research

Psychosocial impact of sickle cell disorder: perspectives from a Nigerian setting

Kofi A Anie¹ , Feyijimi E Egunjobi² and Olu O Akinyanju²

¹  Brent Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Central Middlesex Hospital, London, NW10 7NS, UK

²  National Sickle Cell Centre, Idi Araba, Lagos, Nigeria

author email corresponding author email

Globalization and Health 2010, 6:2doi:10.1186/1744-8603-6-2

Published:	20 February 2010

Abstract

Sickle Cell Disorder is a global health problem with psychosocial implications. Nigeria has the largest population of people with sickle cell disorder, with about 150,000 births annually. This study explored the psychosocial impact of sickle cell disorder in 408 adolescents and adults attending three hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria. A questionnaire was designed for the study, with some of commonly described areas of psychosocial impact including general public perceptions and attitudes, education, employment, and healthcare issues, and emotional responses.

The majority of participants thought that society in general had a negative image of SCD, and reported negative perceptions and attitudes. Some issues in education, employment, and healthcare were expressed, however these were in the minority of cases. The results also showed that depressive feelings were experienced in almost half the study population, even though feelings of anxiety or self-hate were uncommon. Clinical implications of these findings are considered.