Sickle cell disease as a major public health concern in Nigeria - Based on research and qualitative interviews

Abstract

In the year 2006, the WHO recognised Sickle cell disease to be a major public health concern in Nigeria. Due to the high population density, the prevalence rate of sickle cell disease in Nigeria is the highest in the world. Consequently, mortality rates are high and keep rising. Yet, sickle cell disease is not receiving the necessary attention required to address this major public health concern. The aim of this project is to determine why sickle cell disease is regarded as a major public health concern in Nigeria. Furthermore, influencing factors affecting prevalence and mortality rates as well as efforts being made by the Nigerian government and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to improve the situation will be analysed. Qualitative research was carried out in the year 2008 to investigate the present situation of sickle cell disease in the country. Through research and qualitative interviews carried out with 9 experts as key informants, the present situation was examined, analysed and evaluated. Data collection took place in different NGOs and governmental organizations over a 2 month period in different parts of Nigeria. Interviews were conducted with physicians, hematologists, genetic counsellors, sickle cell affected individuals, activists and medical laboratory scientists.