'It means everyone should know their status': exploring lay conceptions of sickle cell trait and sickle cell trait screening among African Americans within middle reproductive age

(Lack of) knowledge of mothers about sickle cell trait and disease: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the understanding of mothers about sickle cell disease and/or trait of the family from a diagnosed child.

METHODS

this is a qualitative study, using a semi-structured interview with 23 mothers, at a sickle cell disease outpatient clinic of a public institution, from October to December 2017. Analysis was thematic.

RESULTS

all participants had sickle cell trait as well as the parents of their children. Twenty children were diagnosed with sickle cell disease by Heel Prick Test, and three, after hospitalization due to the disease. Most did not know how to report the presence of the trait or disease in relatives other than nuclear.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

diagnosis cannot be restricted to the result of neonatal screening, requiring that preventive information on sickle cell crises be reinforced. It is recommended to search for other affected relatives to learn about their genetic condition, reflecting on their reproductive decisions.

Health beliefs as a predictor of screening behaviors among college students

Twenty million people live with a sickle cell disease (SCD) diagnosis globally; about 100,000 reside in the United States of America (US). Although SCD continues to threaten the health, mostly of particular groups in the US, there is a lack of knowledge on risk factors such as unawareness of carrier status, inheritance patterns, and resistance to SCT screening among childbearing age individuals. A cross-sectional survey design using a modified version of the Health Belief Survey assessed college students' SCD beliefs and screening behaviors. Four hundred sixteen students from a North Texas university campus participated in the survey. Although most participants believed that knowing their carrier status was important, only 26% were aware of their status. Findings demonstrated that health beliefs were a significant predictor of screening behaviors. The Universal, Selective, and Indicated Prevention Approach was suggested as a suitable approach to educate, transform health beliefs, and augment screening participation.