Table 3. Health Beliefs in Relation to Sickle Cell Diseasea.
| Category | Sample Statements |
|---|---|
| Cultural and Spiritual Beliefs | If you pray hard it can be cured. If you are not a good Christian, you will not be cured |
| Witchcraft | Leg ulcers and splenomegaly associated with witchcraft |
| Bewitchment by relatives | |
| Curse/Punishment | …family members have offended the deities/gods |
| Family may have offended someone and that person may have cast a spell on them | |
| Impact on Family and Relationships | Some believe one should not marry if the person has SCD |
| Feeling remorseful - questioning why this happened in their family | |
| Misconceptions | They are not strong – and should not work or play |
| If you eat more groundnut oil you get it | |
| Behaviors of Others | (Investing in their education) is a waste of money because they will die |
| Education | Educated people think it is hereditary |
| There is a (general) lack of education about SCD | |
| Socio-economic factors | Disease of the poor |
| Longevity | They do not live long |
a
Themes presented in order of prevalence