Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) is a congenital hemoglobinopathy. There is little in literature regarding the psychological variables affecting individuals living with SCD and all of the significant people around them. There are also limited numbers of trained clinical psychologists and genetic counselors to cater for the psychotherapeutic needs of individuals living with SCD. Even among those who have been trained, only a few might have fully grasped the complexities of the disease pathology.Early understanding of its pathological nature, sources, types, complications, pathophysiological basis, and clinical severity of symptoms among clinical psychologists, genetic counselors and psychotherapists, as well as general medical practitioners, could guide them in providing holistic care for dealing with and reducing pain among individuals living with SCD. It could allow risk-based counseling for families and individuals. It could also justify the early use of disease-modifying or curative interventions, such as hydroxyurea (HU), chronic transfusions (CTs), or stem-cell transplantation (SCT) by general medical practitioners. Hence, the need for this paper on the pathophysiology of SCD.

Painless and painful crises are common phenomena in sickle cell crises. People with Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) do experience both chronic and acute pain throughout life. The painful crisis is unpleasant with wide variation in intensity, quality, duration and persistence. It accounts for over 60% of hospital admissions in any given year of persons affected with SCD. Little attempt has been made to survey gender differences in frequency and intensity of pain as well as types of crises often experience by individuals suffering SCD. Thus researches focusing on gender differences in SCD crises are rear despite the fact the two men often report lower pain thresholds, higher pain ratings, and lower to lerance for pain. Men affected by SCD also experience low nitric oxide. Psychologically, women experienced high level of anxiety over pregnancy related crises. Thus, limited understanding and awareness exists among mental health practitioners on the need for genetic counseling and about the psychotherapeutic management of painful crises in persons affected by SCD. Hence, the need for this research that attempt to examine the differences in crises as well as proffer solutions for the genetic and mental health implications of these disorders.

This paper discusses the major principles and methods of cross-cultural research, particularly how to test hypotheses on worldwide samples of cultures. The major purpose of this presentation is to encourage an increase in cross-cultural research by showing that it is not hard to do.

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Concerns over women's marginalization and invisibility in Africa policy-making, remains a fervent international discourse. These concerns are likely due to restrictive laws, cultural diversities and practices, institutional barriers, as well as disproportionate access to quality education, healthcare, and resources. Reversing these discriminatory practices is not impossible, and can be achieved by implementing the right mechanisms across the continent. The process toward increasing the visibility of women in decision-making across the continent, requires an understanding of the progress made so far, the challenges faced and the way forward. As a consequence, this paper conducted a review of literature to determine the key decision-making organs in Africa, the current status of African women and women's organizations in decision-making, existing institutional policies demanding female involvement in decision-making and the progress made in the continent so far. This paper will also provide recommendations to accelerate the way forward in view of Agenda 2030.