Care For Children With Sickle Cell Anemia; A Case Study Of Children In Imo State Specialist Hospital Owerri

ABSTRACT

Sickle Cell Anemia, an inherited devastating genetic disorder requires wholistic and multi-disciplinary approach in its care, with full involvement of affected families. Children are the future generation of any ethnic group and their vulnerability nature calls for proper care. World Health Organization (WHO), declared sickle cell anemia public health priority according to Makani et al.,2010 as 2% of New Born Babies in Nigeria Alone are affected by sickle cell anemia given a total of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand (150,000) affected children born every year in Nigeria. Sample size consists of children with sickle anemia in Imo State Specialist Hospital Owerri and the medical team attending to them there. Two different constructed questionnaires were used for the two different groups. A total of thirty five (35) patients and one Hundred and forty (140) medical personnel’s making a total of one hundred and seventy five (175) responses were used to explore existing care in imo State in the direction of regular care plan, improved care plan and non orthodox care plan. Both patients and professionals strongly agreed to the steps involved in the regular care plan except in the administration of Iron Drugs. While in the use of improved care plan which offers definitive care where strongly disagreed in Steps like bone marrow transplant services and erythrocytopheresis up to (87.9%) and stem cells transplant service strongly disagreed up to 100%. While hematological investigation and blood transfusion respectively disagreed by 44.3% and 18.6%, strongly agree by 55.7% and 77.9%. Lastly, non orthodox care which include the traditional, complimentary, spiritual others and none had responses thus 25.7%, 14.3%, 17.1%, 14.3 and 28.6.From the finding, the availability and utilization of regular care plan was paramount, followed by non orthodox. The improved care plan which has curative impact is like a mirage in Imo state. It is neither available nor affordable. Government and philanthropist should help in providing health facilities that can provide improved care plan to unfortunate children with sickle cell anemia and at affordable cost to save lives.