Background: With over 70% of all SCD affected births occur in sub-Saharan Africa. It is associated high morbidity and mortality among children. Sudden painful crisis in the reason many people seek medical attention. To reduce this risk, it is hypothesized that if the caretakers can be educated on predisposing factors for the painful. This research worked on awareness on painful crisis, precipitating factors of sickle cell crisis, develop the awareness that a large percent of sickle cell crisis can be prevented.
Objective: To know the extent to which care takers of sickle cell children are aware of precipitating factors for sickle cell vaso occlusive crisis.
Methodology: This cross sectional study involved 190 parents/guardian of children of sickle cell anemia attending sickle cell clinic at BMC. Simple random sampling technique was used, clients had explanation on the study. A questionnaire was developed and focused on assessing if people had knowledge on SCA and its morbidities, prevention of SCD crises, medical care and services. During data collection, information about definition and examples of crisis, how crisis present and precipitating factors for painful crisis are were obtained had analyzed by SPSS.
Results: This study found that among 190 participants, 155/190 (82.1%) knew sickle cell mode of inheritance, blood test was reported by 174/190 (92%) as the mode of diagnosis. On how to prevent children from sickle cell 133/190 (70.5%). There was a parent/guardian report on 183/190 (96.8%) on being suffered sickle cell VOC and knew the pain to be caused by sickle cell. A total of 187/190 (98.9%) knew it was possible to identify a child in sickle cell crisis. For the reported sickle cell VOC, those who could identify 124/190 (65.3%) presented with crying, 47/190 (23.7%) with body weakness and fainting. A total of 72/190 (37.9%) identified anemia as precipitating factor for sickle cell crisis and a complication. 68/190 (35.8%) pain was a complication for sickle cell crisis, stroke 29/190 (15.3%), vision loss 3/190 (1.5%). On precipitants 57/190 (30%) of the participants said cold weather cold, 53/190 (28.4%) said infection, 40/190 (21.1%) said dehydration. On prevention of the crisis, 41/190 (21.6%) said hydration helped, 50/190 (26.6%) said avoiding extreme temperature, 71/190 (37.4%) said medications and medical advice and 25/190 (13.2%) said other ways.
Conclusion: The study shows that majority of guardians of children with sickle cell disease were aware of teh sickle cell crisis and the factors that precipitate the crisis. Despite this is a hospital setting study we need all care-takers to be informed well of the disease and the way to recognize sickle cell complications and sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis its precipitating factors in daily counseling.