Th role of counselling to reduce parental fears and anxiety about newborn screening for sickle cell disease in Northern Ghana.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

In Ghana, about 15,000 newborn children are diagnosed to have sickle cell disease (SCD) annually. Previous studies have demonstrated that while neonatal screening coupled with early intervention reduces SCD-related morbidity and mortality, only 50-70% of screened-positive children have been successfully followed-up to receive healthcare. Gazelle point-of-care testing (POCT) device with high specificity and sensitivity may be more easily integrated into existing immunization programs in rural settings, to improve follow-up rates. This study explored views of community members and healthcare workers about the role of counselling to reduce parental fears and anxiety about newborn screening for SCD in rural Northern Ghana.

Methods

This study used qualitative researc

SUBMITTER: Duah E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12357421 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature