Transition Preparation and Satisfaction of Care Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease at the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics

Abstract

Expanding services in Ghana for people with sickle cell disease is expected to increase childhood survival and need for transition to adult care. Little is known about patient transition experiences in sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to understand those experiences of adolescents and young adults at an adult sickle cell clinic in Accra, Ghana. Individuals 13 to 22 years of age receiving sickle cell care at the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics were interviewed to recall their advance preparation and early experiences in adult sickle cell clinic. Mean age of the 100 participants interviewed was 17.9 ± 2.9 years, 65% female. Most had hemoglobin SS (77%) or hemoglobin SC (20%). Twenty-nine participants recalled pretransition preparation; 93% of them ( 27) had received care at Korle Bu Pediatric Sickle Cell Clinic. Among the remaining 71 who did not recall advance preparation, 54% (34) had received pediatric care at that clinic (P < 0.001). More in the group recalling preparation had positive feelings about needing to transition care compared with those not recollecting preparation (55% vs. 32%, P = 0.04). Our results suggest that pretransition preparation may ease the peritransition experience. Conduct and evaluation of a program for transitioning into adult sickle cell care in Ghana may facilitate the transfer process.

Cervical precancer screening with HPV DNA testing and mobile colposcopy in women with sickle cell disease in Accra, Ghana

“…As the premier adult SCD clinic in the country, the GICG SCD clinic sees patients from all over Ghana, with a large majority coming from Southern Ghana. As of 2022, the clinic had registered more than 25,000 adolescents and adults with SCD [ 21 ]. The clinic sees 10,000–15,000 patients annually and a mean of 50 patients per day [ 21 ].…”

“…As of 2022, the clinic had registered more than 25,000 adolescents and adults with SCD [ 21 ]. The clinic sees 10,000–15,000 patients annually and a mean of 50 patients per day [ 21 ]. Patients needing additional specialist care or in-patient services are referred from the GICG clinic to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.…”