Abstract:

Background: SCD has been recognized as a major public health problem: as such, it was essential for us to establish not just its size, but also its spectrum. While this paper was in its first draft the first SCD patient successfully cured with gene therapy was reported and the American Society of Hematology issued a Call to Action on Sickle Cell Disease. We feel strongly that in Africa the transition from taking stock to taking action is overdue: we must implement urgently beneficial measures such as newborn screening, infection prophylaxis, optimization of blood transfusion practice and the use of hydroxyurea; and we must also contribute to research on potentially curative treatments.

Aim: The study’s main objective was to determine the knowledge and attitude towards sickle cell disease among children care takers in sengerema district.

Methodology: The Data collected was entered, edited, cleaned in the Microsoft excel version 2019, then analyzed by statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 24. The results were summarized in tables and graphs. A 3-point Linkert scale was used to analyze the knowledge and attitude towards sickle cell disease among children care providers at Sengerema district hospital. The ‘yes’ responses received a score of 3, ‘no’ a score of 2 and ‘not sure’ a score of 1. An inverted score was made for the negative worded questions. The median score was detected and the knowledge and attitude was categorized as positive or negative. Descriptive statistics was applied to calculate the frequencies and percentages.

Results: Out of 243 people sampled; 53.1% of the respondents had ever heard of SCD with the highest proportion 40.4% hearing of SCD from friends and family. Close to half of the respondents 41.8% knew that SCD is inherited, however a large proportion 33.8% did not know the cause of SCD. However, 39.9% of the respondents said they cannot marry a person with SCD.

Conclusion: The study results indicate that more effort needs to be done to promote sickle cell awareness in Tanzanian communities with emphasis on the inclusion of sickle cell in health education campaigns.