This study assesses the knowledge on sickle cell anemia among Primary Health Care workers in Zaria City of Kaduna State, Nigeria. A cross sectional descriptive study design and mixed approach was used for this study. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 369 study participants. The instrument used for this study include self-developed structured questionnaire to obtain information on participant’s knowledge concerning epidemiology, signs and symptoms, management/control, complications and current screening services for sickle cell disease patients, and a structured interview guide is also used to determine respondents’ awareness on centres where services for these patients could be obtained; from 14 participants. Data was analysed using frequencies, percentages and one way and over statistical analysis was used to test hypotheses. Findings revealed that the knowledge concerning sickle cell disease was poor. Knowledge concerning epidemiology was good. Knowledge concerning clinical manifestation and complication was poor and knowledge concerning management and control including current screening services of SCD was poor . The result of the structured interview revealed that the respondents were aware of sickle cell disease, knowledgeable about the available centres providing care for SCD patients but have poor knowledge about screening services available and have no idea about the bed capacity of the centre providing services to SCD. They also have no idea of the type of categories of professionals dealing with SCD. The first hypothesis in this study revealed that there is a statistically significance between the profession and level of knowledge and the
second hypothesis showed that there is no significance difference between professional status and knowledge regarding SCD. In conclusion, knowledge gaps related to different aspects of sickle cell disease and differences in the level of knowledge among professionals are identified. It is recommended that continuing education for all primary health care workers should be organized to enable them provide qualified services to these patients.
- A | . | Bayero | bayeromina180@gmail.com | 07035587283, I | . | Abubakar | abubakar.isa09@gmail.com | 08032916542, R | . | Balarabe | hamdanrahma@gmail.com | 08036436229, H | . | Gommaa | h_gommaa@yahoo.com | 08096535406 , R | . | Uthman | yaruwayya@gmail.com | 07036000770
- Sickle cell anaemia; knowledge; primary health workers
- Lautech New Edition April 2020 Article 6
