Burden of Sickle Cell Anaemia On Families of Patients

Oluwole O. Famuyiwa and Olu O. Akinyanju
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Oluwole O. Famuyiwa: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria
Olu O. Akinyanju: Clinical Haematology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 1998, vol. 44, issue 3, 170-180

Abstract: This study examines the burden on the families of children with sickle cell anaemia in a naturalistic setting. Compared with a matched group of epileptics (N=76) families of sickle cell anaemia victims aged 12 years and below (N = 85) suffer greater burden on a standardised scale which encompasses several burden parameters. Family size and multiple incidence were the only clinico-demographic variables which exerted tangible total burden effects. Financial expenses incurred on medical care; effect on physical health of family members; sense of despair regarding expectation of crisis; sleeplessness and frustration in any member of the family; and abandonment of joint family activities were the commonest causes of burden. There was a significant correlation between total burden scores and frequency of crisis (r=0.79). It is suggested that clinicians should pay attention not only to deficiencies but also strengths and coping capacity of families which can be reinforced to formulate meaningful intervention programmes.

Date: 1998
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:44:y:1998:i:3:p:170-180

DOI: 10.1177/002076409804400303

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