A randomized controlled pilot trial of a school intervention for children with sickle cell anemia

Objective To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of a randomized clinical pilot trial comparing routine services (RS) with a school intervention program (SIP) for children with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Method Twenty-four children (ages 8–12 years) with SCA were randomized to RS or SIP. General disease knowledge, consumer satisfaction, self-concept, and school absences were evaluated. Results Compared with children receiving RS, children and teachers receiving SIP evidenced more accurate information about their disease, and children with SCA had significantly fewer absences. Teachers receiving SIP reported higher consumer satisfaction. Conclusions A modest educational curriculum can increase knowledge of SCA, is associated with lower absentee rates, and yields high consumer satisfaction ratings. Key words sickle cell anemia; school intervention; randomized controlled trial; consumer satisfaction. Considerable data suggest that children with chronic illness are at risk for both academic and social difficulties at school (Sexson &Madan-Swain, 1993). Because of th