Publications

Sickle cell disorders can be managed cost-effectively by programs that integrate treatmentwith early carrier detection through screening and genetic counselling. However, sickle celldisease is not well known or recognized by many individuals as a significant health problemwith major complications, thus a large number of Ugandans are carriers of the trait but theyare unaware of their status. Therefore, this study sought to determine the knowledge andpractices of mothers towards the home-based care of sickle cell anaemia among childrenbelow 10 years at Jinja regional referral hospital in Jinja City. Simple random sampling wasused to select the required number of participants, n equals 30. The questionnaire usedconsist of closed and open-ended questions to collect both qualitative and quantitative data.The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables and figures. Thestudy findings revealed that 59.3% of respondents had poor knowledge while 40.7% ofrespondents had good knowledge concerning home-based care of their children with SCA.52.9% of the respondents had good practices while 47.1% had poor practices about homebasedcare of their children with SCA. So, it was concluded that caregivers lack adequateknowledge about home-based care of children with SCA with average good practices.Therefore, there is a need for government to come up with programs aimed at teachingmothers and the communities at large to impact knowledge on how to manage SCA. Healtheducation should be done regularly and expanded to couples intending to marry and also screened during antenatal visits. There is also a need for more sensitization of the general public both by the government and professionally experienced health workers pertaining SCD in Uganda