Assessment of the psychosocial impacts of sickle cell disease on adolescents and how parents and relatives cope with pain in the family

The Effects of Sickle Cell Disease on the Quality of Life: A Focus on the Untold Experiences of Parents in Tanzania

Tanzania is among the top five countries with a high burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) in the world. Even though the effects of SCD on quality of life have been documented in other countries including Nigeria and the United States of America, few are known from Tanzania. Therefore, this study focused on evaluating the effects of SCD on the quality of life among children living with SCD and their parents. The study employed a qualitative approach to interview purposively selected parents of children who have lived with SCD and have used hydroxyurea (HU) for more than 3 years. The in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 parents of children with SCD at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania. A semi-structured interview guide was used. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Three themes were generated including psycho-social effects: family conflicts and divorce, limited access to education, stress and fear; financial effects: Employment limitation, reduced efficiency and productivity, loss of job and lack of self-keeping expenses; and physical effects: physical disability and dependence, and burden of the frequent crisis. Children living with SCD and their parents suffer psycho-social, financial, and physical impacts of the disease. Appropriate interventions should be introduced to minimize the observed effects as ways of improving the quality of life of the individuals living with SCD and their caregivers.

Sickle cell disease: health promotion and maintenance and the role of primary care nurse practitioners

PURPOSE

To discuss the role of nurse practitioners (NPs) with regard to early identification of affected individuals, effective monitoring and screening, effective pain management and prophylaxis, and health education for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).

DATA SOURCES

Electronic database searches were performed using Medline, Cinahl, and PsycINFO. Data were obtained from medical textbooks, research, and review articles.

CONCLUSIONS

SCD is a chronic inherited disease belonging to a group of conditions called hemoglobinopathies. Individuals with SCD often require close medical care from specialists. Nonetheless, NPs are in ideal positions to facilitate the health promotion and health maintenance necessary to decrease the high rate of morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

NPs must understand the importance of early identification of affected individuals, effective monitoring and screening, effective monitoring and screening, effective pain treatment, and prophylaxis. The unpredictable trajectory of SCD can lead to frustration, fear, helplessness, hopelessness, and emotional distress. Ineffective pain management is a major problem for people with SCD. NPs can overcome this problem by initiating effective and prompt pain management in a nonjudgmental manner.