Psychological Experience of Children and Adolescents with Homozygous Sickle Cell Disease in Brazzaville

Abstract

Introduction: Sickle cell disease, the most frequent hemoglobinopathy, is one of many causes of psychological repercussions. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of psychological disorders in children/adolescents living with sickle cell disease and to identify the associated factors. Patients and Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2019 at the national sickle cell center and at the mother-child consultation of the University Hospital of Brazzaville. Children/adolescents aged six to 19 years old followed for sickle cell disease were included. Psychological disorders were assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders "DSM-5" which assesses depression and anxiety disorders, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire which assesses representations of chronic diseases. SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 201 children/adolescents included, a drop in self-esteem was noted: 76.1%, anxiety 29.9%, depression 5.5% and a negative impact on daily life in all cases. These were significant negative consequences 39.3%. Advanced age, duration of illness, delay in school and puberty, use of upper-level analgesics, number of complications and hospitalizations, and occurrence of complications were associated with psychological disorders. Conclusion: The frequency of psychological disorders during the experience of the child/adolescent living with sickle cell anemia, requires that education, behaviour change communication be strengthened in order to improve the quality of care.

Description of the Incidence of Anemia in Young Women at SMPN 2 Depok, Yogyakarta

“…Not only that, fatigue and weakness that appear as effects of anemia can harm teenagers in their daily activities, reducing their energy levels and productivity. 21 .Lastly, anemia can also contribute to impaired mood and emotional well-being in adolescents, resulting in mood swings and lowered overall levels of psychological well-being 17,22 Therefore, an indepth understanding of the impact of anemia on adolescents is essential in efforts to maintain the health and well-being of this young generation.…”

Physical wellness among adolescents with hemoglobinopathic disorders

“…Kshaish & Aziz, (2020), carried out a descriptive study about assessment of daily living activities for (100) thalassemic school age children in Baghdad city, they also find most of children are affected moderately in all domains of daily living activities [27] . A crosssectional study directed by (Moyen et al, 2021), on 201 patients with SCD aged (6_19 years old) in order to determine the (Psychological Experience for Children with Homozygous SCD in Brazzaville) which found that the impact of disease on the patient's daily life was negative in all cases [28] .…”

Strengthening the Societal Pillars for effective management of sickle cell disease

“…In a study from Brazzaville, it was found that in children/adolescent group 76.1% had disempowerment, 29.9% had anxiety and 5.5% had depression. Study suggested that stronger focus on education, behavior modification, and communication is necessary to improve the quality of care due to the prevalence of psychiatric illnesses in children and adolescents who live with SCD 9 . A previous study from India found that children with SCD have more psychological issues than children without SCD.…”