Awareness of Sickle Cell Disease Among Nursing Undergraduates in Farasan: Its Interference with Malaria

Overview

Journal J Family Med Prim Care

Specialty Public Health

Date 2024 Apr 12

PMID 38605749

Authors

Shabihul Fatma Sayed

Hamad G Dailah

Sumathi Nagarajan

Amani Awad El Kareem

Ameerah Riffat Said

Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab

Shaivad Shabee HulHasan Abadi

Rola Hassan Haddadi

Gulrana Khuwaja

Saida Mohamed Zribi

Samar Yeahya Hamad E M Ageeli

Wadeah Ali D A Malhan

Yahya Talebi Madkhali

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aim: The present study was conducted to generate data on awareness and incidence of sickle cell disease (SCD) and also to adduce the widespread myths peddled about SCD.

Materials And Methods: Students studying in the Department of Nursing were recruited. A pretested, self-administered sickle cell assessment questionnaire was distributed electronically through WhatsApp group to collect necessary data. Participants were screened for malaria by thin blood smear analyses, and their hemoglobin (Hb) contents (g/dL) were determined by Sahli's haemoglobinometer. Statistical analyses were done using Origin (version 8.1, USA). A reliability study was performed for the validity of questionnaire data.

Results: Study participants had significantly high awareness regarding SCDs (89.9%, < 0.001). Most participants (96.3%) were aware about government policy regarding premarital screening for genetic disorders and replied that the government has strict health policies backed by equally robust laboratory diagnostics. Moreover, none of the participants had SCDs, although their parents had a consanguineous marriage. Thin blood smear analyses of participants did not reveal any cases of . However, significant percentages (33.1%) were found to be anemic, probably due to their dietary habits and lifestyles, as has been reflected by questionnaire analyses. Furthermore, a very less number of students had knowledge about genetic variations that might occur in malaria-endemic regions after long exposure to offer protection from malaria. Knowledge about management practices was also lacking among study participants (29%).

Conclusion: This research points to the necessity that the nursing study plan should focus on providing specific training on management skills and preventive measures for SCDs, which is of paramount importance.

Citing Articles

Knowledge of Sickle Cell Disease Among Medical Students at Al-Baha University, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Alzahrani S, Alghamdi N, Alzahrani E, Alzahrani F, Alghamdi M, Hafiz Z Cureus. 2024; 16(1):e52616.

PMID: 38374865 PMC: 10875911. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52616.

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