Psychological Experience of Mothers of Children with Sickle Cell Disease Followed at the Pediatric Department of Bouaké University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Sickle cell disease has physical and emotional repercussions on the child and his family. The aim of this study was to describe the psychosocial experiences of mothers of children with sickle cell disease in order to improve the overall care of the child. Methods: This was a descriptive crosssectional study carried out in the pediatrics department of Bouaké University Teaching Hospital from June to September 2023. It focused on mothers of major sickle-cell-affected children followed up in the pediatrics department of the Bouaké University Teaching Hospital. The variables studied were sociodemographic, psychological, social and economic. Results: Of the 40 mothers surveyed, 15% were not in school and 32.5% were unemployed. For them, sickle cell disease was of natural (genetic) origin in 90% and supernatural in 10%. They stated that the child had an average age of 36 months (extremes 7 and 108 months) when the disease was discovered. And 52% of them were satisfied with the way the disease was clearly and completely announced. Following the announcement, the questioned mothers said they had felt shock (35%), sadness (31.7%), guilt (23.3%) and discouragement (10%). Anxiety and depression were experienced by 77.5% and 22.5% respectively. In 60% of cases, they stated that the disease was incurable, and the outcome was fatal in 2.5% of cases. The child's illness was a source of problems in the home in 25% of cases, represented by arguments in 92% and divorce in 8%. In 97.5% of cases, the mother told her family and friends about the child's illness. In 90% of cases, the mother and child benefited from psychological support from family and friends. Conclusion: Sickle cell disease is a serious illness with a