A study of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Hospital Facilities Provided to Individuals with Positive Sickle Cell status in South Gujarat: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders and is a genetically transmitted autosomal recessive hemoglobinopathy that causes significant morbidity and mortality. Sickle cell anemia patients experience blood-related problems, which can be identified through clinical examination or family history. It is connected to episodes of severe illness and the development of organ damage. This causes illnesses that affect not only the organs but also the tissues, increasing the risk of infection and causing painful events such as anemia and tissue damage. Therefore, in order to combat this sickness, we must concentrate on this tribal community. So the aim of our study was to assess the Attitude, Knowledge, Practice and hospital facilities provided to patients with positive Sickle cell anemia status. Methodology: Total 226 Individuals with Positive sickle cell status who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited in our study. After getting informed consent from participants, a Self structured questionnaire was filled by participants. Results: Descriptive statistics and frequency analysis was used to analyze the data. Majority of them 212 (93.8) had ever heard about sickle cell anaemia with the highest source of information was from Education (40.7%) followed by health care professionals (34.1%). More than half of the participants (85.4%) knew about signs and symptoms with fatigue (31.8%) and joint pain (20.8%) were the most common one. Majority of the respondents knew how SCD is diagnosed. 154 (68.1%) and 101 (44.7%) participants responded positively to their sickling status and premarital counseling respectively. Near half of the applicable respondent (34.1%) knew about sickling status of their partners before marriage or first child and (32.7%) knew about their children’s sickle cell status. 157 individuals were aware of government services in which Anemia Mukt Bharat (87.9%) was most commonly used by them. More than half of the individuals (74.8%) agreed that they are getting high quality care from the hospitals. Conclusion: Participants had showed moderate knowledge, attitude and practice on Sickle cell disease. Hospitals were delivering high quality care by providing different services and medical facilities among tribal population. Key words: Sickle cell disease, knowledge, practice, attitude, hospital, questionnaire