Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of sickle cell disease patients from a low-income region of northeastern Brazil

Abstract

ObjectiveTo characterize the socioeconomic and demographic aspects of sickle cell disease patients from the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Northeast Brazil, and their adherence to the recommended treatment.MethodsThis cross-sectional descriptive study was performed at referral centers for the treatment of hematological diseases. One hundred and fifty-five unrelated individuals with sickle cell disease who went to these centers for outpatient visits were analyzed. All the patients, or their caregivers, were informed about the research procedures and objectives, and answered a standardized questionnaire.ResultsThe patients were predominantly younger than 12 years old, self-declared as mulatto, lived in small towns fairly distant from the referral center, and had low education and socioeconomic levels. Individuals who were ten or younger were diagnosed at an earlier age. Almost 50% of the patients were taking hydroxyurea, 91.4% reported having received pneumococcal/meningococcal vaccinations and 76.1% received penicillin as antibiotic prophylaxis. However, the majority of them reported having difficulties following the recommendations of the physicians, mainly in respect to attaining the prescribed medications and transportation to the referral centers.ConclusionThese individuals have a vulnerable socioeconomic situation that can lead to an aggravation of their general health and thus deserve special attention from the medical and psychosocial perspectives. Thus, it is necessary to improve public policies that provide Brazilian sickle cell disease patients with better access to medical treatment, living conditions, and integration into society.

Complications of sickle cell anaemia in children in Northwestern Tanzania

“…In Brazil, the median age of diagnosis was 2 years old for those in their second decade of life. 20 Studies from Nigeria, report a median age of diagnosis from 2-2.4 years old, but in contrast to our study, approximately 20% of children were diagnosed before their first birthday. 19,21 Even in Toronto, Canada, those who were not screened at birth were diagnosed at a median age of 2 years old.…”

Prescription audit in a paediatric sickle cell clinic in South-West Nigeria: A cross-sectional retrospective study

“…In a recent Nigerian study conducted across 18 sickle cell clinics, only eight of them routinely gave prophylactic penicillin38. This is in contrast to a study conducted in Brazil where 76.1% of the patient population received penicillin prophylaxis39.…”

Aspectos sociais dos pacientes com �lcera de perna na doen�a falciforme: revis�o integrativa

“…Ao analisar a questão racial com maior amplitude, estudos apontam que os indivíduos com DF são predominantemente da raça negra e apresentam baixa escolaridade. Nesse contexto, o Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (IPEA) (28) afirma que as desigualdades de gênero e raça estão contidas na sociedade brasileira e limitam o acesso, a progressão e as oportunidades da população negra (18,(22)(23)(24) . Discussões acerca do mercado de trabalho merecem destaque por ser considerado um fator crucial para a construção da identidade pessoal, social e, sobretudo, econômica a fim de garantir sobrevivência.…”

“…Os indivíduos portadores de DF, em idade economicamente ativa, possuem escolaridade em nível fundamental e, consequentemente, remuneração baixa de até dois salários mínimos. As complicações provenientes da doença resultam em baixa competitividade profissional e menor poder aquisitivo de modo a influenciar negativamente na vida dessas pessoa (18,(20)(21)(23)(24)26) . Quanto à escola, é possível que em alguns momentos o paciente necessite se ausentar devido a episódios de dor e à necessidade de um constante acompanhamento ambulatorial e realização de consultas e exames.…”