Table 2. Common Themes – Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Traita.
| Category | Sample Statements |
|---|---|
| Sickle Cell Disease | |
| Clinical Complications | Two common symptoms are pain and anemia |
| Distinct Physical Appearance | Slim/thin; Yellow eyes |
| Chronic/Recurrent Illness | Child falls sick often |
| Genetics/Inheritance | Genetic disorder |
| Cellular Pathology | Red blood cells sickle under certain conditions |
| Misconceptions | They think they can't go to school; They think they cannot give birth; They…think it is from one parent only |
| Stigmatization | Women with SCD are not advised to be married |
| Superstition | Evil forces or spirits |
| Psychosocial Aspects | They just start crying. They know they are going to suffer with their babies |
| Risk of early death | It's a deadly disease – die by age 5 or 18… maximum age you will live is 32 years |
| Potential for cure | It cannot be cured but can be managed |
| Prevention | If detected early it can be prevented |
| Sickle Cell Trait | |
| Misconceptions | A portion of the condition is in you; AS is a trace of SCD |
| Genetics/Inheritance | (They) can pass (the gene for) sickle hemoglobin on to offspring |
| Screening/Testing | Many do not even know they have the trait |
| Phenotype/symptoms | They do not have crisis |
| Superstition | Caused by witches in the family |
a
Themes presented in order of prevalence