Experiences of Sickle Cell Patients in Ghana - Dr. Lily Yarney

Experiences of Sickle Cell Patients in Ghana: A Qualitative Study at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra

Lily narrates the experiences of sickle cell patients in Ghana. She conducted this study to obtain first-hand information from sickle cell patients, their primary caregivers, and healthcare providers, to bring to the fore the plight of this vulnerable group in the public domain, especially in Ghana and other Sub-Saharan African countries. She employed qualitative methodology with in-depth interview guide to collect data from thirty-one participants who were purposively selected at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (the final level of referrals in the health service delivery hierarchy, and home to a mix of doctors with diverse specialties) for the study. She found out that sickle cell patients in Ghana have several experiences with ill-health, homecare, facility-care, socio-economic, psychological, and emotional issues, among other fears. Lily explains in line with Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit theory that caregivers of sickle cell patients must identify and give priority to the patient’s unmet self-care needs. She concludes that Sickle cell patients in Ghana go through a lot of problems making it difficult to live with the disease psychologically, emotionally, physically, and financially. Thus, their care must be of priority importance to the government and all stakeholders. Structured, systematic, and clear policy guidelines must be put in place regarding the care and management of sickle cell disease. These interventions must be aimed at alleviating the physical and psychological pain and suffering associated with the disease and reduction in the incidence of the condition.