Assessing Parental Knowledge on Sickle Cell Disease: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disease affecting millions of people in the world, making the disease a global problem. It is an inherited blood disorder, resulting in morbidity and mortality among disease sufferers. Consequently, the incidence of Sickle Cell Disease in Ghana has increased dramatically over the last decade affecting 2% of newborns in the Kumasi Metropolis yearly. While the overwhelming majority of people born with the disease still come from Africa, least developed services exist for people living with the disease. Efforts to coordinate knowledge among health care givers and parental/ community care can significantly improve health and well-being of individuals with the disease. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore parents’ knowledge on SCD at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). It involved 10 parents who were purposively sampled and interviewed from the Sickle Cell Clinic at KATH. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis. The study revealed that there is a gap in knowledge on Sickle cell disease and crisis and thus recommend the intensification of education as it plays a vital role in giving optimal care and preventing complications.

Keywords: Sickle cell disease, knowledge, education