Awareness, Knowledge, and Acceptance of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Sickle Cell Anaemia in Nigeria

Abstract

Background. Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is an inherited condition whose clinical manifestations arise from the tendency of haemoglobin to polymerize and deform red blood cells into characteristic sickle shape. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation offers a cure. The aim of this study was to determine the level of awareness, knowledge, and acceptance of this beneficial procedure in Nigeria. Materials and Methods. This multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in 7 tertiary hospitals in Nigeria in 2015. Approval was obtained from each institution's research and ethics committee. A pretested structured questionnaire was administered to respondents aged 18 years and above and to the parents or guardians of those below 18 years of age. Results. There were 265 respondents comprising 120 males and 145 females. One hundred and seventy-one (64.5%) respondents were aware of BMT for the treatment of SCA. About 67.8% (116 of 171) of those who were aware believed SCA can be cured with BMT (p = 0.001) and 49.7% (85 of 171) of the respondents accepted BMT (p = 0.001). Conclusion. Awareness of BMT in Nigeria is low when compared with reports from developed countries. The knowledge is poor and acceptance is low. With adequate information, improved education, and psychological support, more Nigerians will embrace BMT.

The Review of Stem Cell Therapy in Nigeria: The Way Forward

“…Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is said to be the only established curative treatment for sickle cell anaemia currently accepted [13]. Clinical trials are still ongoing on the use of Mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of liver and inflammatory bowel diseases.…”

“…In a study done on the awareness of BMT for the treatment of sickle cell anaemia in tertiary health centres across some states in Nigeria, 64.5% of the respondent were aware that BMT can be used this however is low when compared to reports gotten from developed countries [59]. Due to low awareness, getting donors is a great challenge.…”

Knowledge and attitude towards hematopoietic stem cell transplantation among medical students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia

“…For example, one study conducted in India among engineering students found that none had adequate knowledge about SCT, only 30.9% had moderate knowledge, and the rest had inadequate knowledge. 19 On the other hand, Adediran et al, 20 also found inadequate knowledge about SCT among sickle cell patients. In our study, the inadequate knowledge about HSCT can be linked to a lack of information about HSCT in the curriculum.…”

Establishing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Unit in Resource Limited Setting: A Critical Analysis of Indian Council of Medical Research 2017 Guidelines

“…The indirect and direct cost of care are huge. Thus establishing a HSCT unit for allogeneic type of HSCT was a cost effective decision [9]. For low population countries like Maldives and Mauritius the density of HSCT candidates is too less to run a programme perennially.…”