Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward sickle cell management among caregivers of Children below five years attending Rakai general hospital, Rakai district. A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background.

Uganda lacks enough resources to support the increasing incidences of sickle cell disease (SCD), as the management of these children increases the Government expenditure. This study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practices towards sickle cell management among caretakers of children below five years attending Rakai general hospital, Rakai district.

 Methodology:

The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design using a simple random sampling technique. Data was collected from 50 respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire. Analysis was done using the Excel computer program and presented in tables and figures, then interpreted.

 Results:

(40%) Of the children were between 3-4 years, (50%) of caretakers had attained secondary level education, 94% of the participants had ever heard about the sickle cell disease, 56% fairly knew the signs, and 50% knew it was inherited from the parents. Respondents had a good attitude towards the management of sickle cell disease, as 60% of them noted that screening of children for sickle cell disease is very important, and 85% of the respondents believed that children with sickle cell disease should go to school. Respondents had fair control practices of sickle cell crises among these children since 58% of them used conventional medicine from the hospital, and 43% gave painkillers to their children when they experienced pain.

 Conclusively.

Even though knowledge, attitude, and practices toward sickle cell management among care takers of children below five years were generally fair, the study established gaps regarding the practices of care takers and also a proportion still use herbal medicine as treatment.

 Recommendation.

The management of Rakai general hospital aims to increase the ongoing education and orientation of health workers to equip them with knowledge on the management of sickle cell disease.