Table 1.
Baseline Characteristics of Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) Participants
| Variable | n (Median/%) | |
|---|---|---|
| A: Personal characteristics | ||
| Age in months (median) | 99 [78–151] | |
| Sex | Female | 35 (40.2) |
| School grade | Secondary | 12 (13.8) |
| Primary | 55 (63.2) | |
| Not studying currently | 20 (23.0) | |
| Tribe | Sukuma | 21 (24.1) |
| Kurya | 18 (20.7) | |
| Others | 48 (55.2) | |
| Region | Mwanza | 66 (75.8) |
| Mara | 10 (11.5) | |
| Other | 12 (12.7) | |
| Malaria history | Yes | 76 (87.4) |
| Dactylitis | Yes | 60 (69.0) |
| Splenic sequestration | Yes | 43 (49.4) |
| Acute Chest Syndrome | Yes | 55 (63.2) |
| Vaso Occlusive Crisis | Yes | 86 (98.9) |
| Sepsis | Yes | 78 (89.6) |
| Stroke | Yes | 22 (25.3) |
| Hospitalization | < 5 | 29 (23.3) |
| 6–10 | 10 (11.5) | |
| >10 | 43 (49.4) | |
| Lifetime Blood Transfusion | < 5 | 45 (51.7) |
| 6–10 | 12 (13.8) | |
| >10 | 20 (22.9) | |
| How Hydroxyurea is obtained | Cash | 16 (18.4) |
| Insurance | 43 (49.4) | |
| Ongoing Projects | 28 (32.2) | |
| Pallor | Present | 44 (50.6) |
| Icterus | Present | 38 (43.7) |
| Nails | Abnormal | 4 (4.6) |
| Spleen | Palpated | 11 (12.6) |
| Splenectomy | 3 (3.5) | |
| B: Family characteristics | ||
| Primary caregiver | Father and mother | 72 (82.8) |
| Single parent | 10 (11.4) | |
| Other | 5 (5.8) | |
| Occupation of the primary caregiver | Employed | 40 (46.0) |
| Never employed | 47 (54.0) | |
| Siblings living with SCA | One | 50 (57.5) |
| Two | 30 (34.5) | |
| Three | 7 (8.0) | |
| Siblings who have died of SCA | One | 10 (86.2) |
| Two | 2 (2.3) | |