Sickle cell disease in Cameroon: Taking out the "neglect" and highlighting key opportunities for sustainable control.

ABSTRACT: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a serious genetic disorder with astounding regional differences in childhood survival. Alarmingly, over 90% of children with SCD in SSA die before their fifth birthday. In Cameroon, approximately 7,000 children are born with SCD annually; however, most of them go undiagnosed until their fourth birthday, resulting into untold pain and suffering. Despite this, little is known about the barriers to optimal care and treatment for SCD in Cameroon. Here, we assess these barriers, and consider opportunities that could be leveraged, for a sustainable control of SCD in Cameroon. We conducted a qualitative study, with documentary analysis of key national and international policy documents related to SCD management in Cameroon; semi-structured interviews; and focus group

SUBMITTER: Saidu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11501032 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature