Sickle Cell Disease Among Adult Sufferers Visiting Korlebu Teaching Hospital: Psychosocial Effects And Coping Strategies

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD), also known as sickle cell anaemia, haemoglobin S or SS disease is a group of inherited disorders that affects haemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen to cells throughout the body. Although sickle cell disease is a global public health issue, not many studies have been conducted on the psychosocial effects of disease sufferers or patients in Africa, including Ghana. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the psychosocial effects of sickle cell disease on adult patients visiting the sickle cell clinic at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional study design and a quantitative study approach, in which questionnaires were administered to 385 sickle cell adults. The respondents were selected using convenience sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (chi-square) were used in the data analyses with the aid of STATA15.0. Results: Psychological effects; depression, anxiety and fear were all commonly reported by adult sickle cell disease sufferers/patients. Furthermore, the social effect of sickle cell disease among adults’ sufferers who visit the sickle cell clinic in Korle-Bu include loss of morale, selfhatred and isolation. Coping strategies adopted by sickle cell disease patients to minimize the psychological effect of disease included reliance on support from family members, friends and relatives and regularly meeting with a psychotherapist. Conclusion: The study revealed that adult sickle cell sufferers experience varied psychological effects including depression, anxiety and fear. Reliance of family support and other support systems are important coping strategies sickle cell sufferers adopt to minimize psychosocial effects of disease.