Mothers' Knowledge of Sickle-Cell Anaemia in Nigeria

Abstract

The study ascertains knowledge of mothers of sufferers of sickle-cell anaemia specifically regarding aetiology of the disorder and acceptable medical care. One hundred fifty-seven mothers of children suffering from sickle-cell anaemia (HbSS) attending a haematology clinic of a general hospital in Lagos were randomly sampled and asked about the aetiology and their understanding of the rules of care using a short open-ended questionnaire. The mean age of the mothers was 37.4 and a significant majority belong to the lower socio-economic strata. Thirty-four percent reported having been informed of the hereditary basis of anaemia but 48.4% received no explanation. Doctors, nurses, and lay literature were the main sources of information on the condition, as well as its medical care. The considerable gaps in appropriate knowledge on sickle-cell anaemia in Nigeria observed indicates that adequate and properly-presented information to parents or guardians of patients should be an essential part of a comprehensive care plan.

Misconceptions about sickle cell disease (SCD) among lay people in Benin

“…According to Rahimy et al (2003), people in Benin "believe that the disease is caused by an evil spirit gnawing on their child's bones and, for treatment, seek the help of 'Marabou' [a traditional healer]". But all empirical studies have been conducted in Nigeria, where people's knowledge of SCD has been variable (Adewuyi, 2000;Famuyiwa and Aina, 2009;Moronkola and Fadairo, 2006). The present study examined the knowledge of lay people in Benin.…”

Correlates of knowledge of genetic diseases and congenital anomalies among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Lagos, South-West Nigeria

“…The gaps in knowledge demonstrated in this study are particularly relevant in that there has been a lot done to create awareness of sickle cell disease and how to prevent it through premarital genetic testing. Previous studies have linked the paucity of knowledge and uptake of services to non-availability of prenatal testing services and religious persuasions [ 45 , 46 ]. This also carries into the low levels of knowledge of neural tube defects (NTDs) despite the universal use of prenatal folate supplementation.…”

Screening for Depression among Parents of Children with Congenital Heart Disease in a Nigerian Paediatric Cardiology Clinic

“…This is also productive age bracket in which they are supposed to contribute to the country's economy but now tied down most times to the care of their special wards. Furthermore, most of the parent subjects were women (84.4%); an indication of the pivotal roles mothers/ female members of the family play in African culture when children or other Dr. Dominic D. AGBO members are ill in the family (15,16,17) . In our study, about two thirds of our subjects belonged to low socio-economic status (SES); and this is in line with findings from previous studies where congenital malformations have been found to be strongly associated with low SES (18,19) .…”