PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE ON MOTHERS OF AFFECTED CHILDREN SEEN AT UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN TEACHING HOSPITAL, ILORIN, NIGERIA

ABSTRACTBackground: Attention paid to psychological disorders of mothers or families of children sufferingfrom sickle cell disease (SCD) in Nigeria has been inadequate.Objective: To assess the psychosocial impact of SCD on mothers of affected children and twocontrol samples.Design: A cross-sectional controlled study.Setting: University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.Subjects: One hundred mothers of SCD affected children (SCD children) were the study sample,while the controls were made of 75 mothers of children with bronchial asthma (asthmatics) and75 mothers of children with some acute medical illness (AMI).Results: The mothers of children with SCD (SCD mothers) were signifi cantly likely to report burdenin the areas of fi nance, time consumption and hindrance from enjoyment of live and were also morelikely to over-protect their children. A total of 28% of SCD mothers were identifi ed as probablecases with psychological problems on SRQ compared to 20% and 25% of mothers of asthmaticsand AMI children respectively, this differences were, however, not statistically signifi cant.Conclusion: As a result of the prevalent psychosocial impact of this disease on mothers it is stronglysuggested that special consideration in terms of routine psychosocial assessment and treatmentbe incorporated into the various levels of health care system. There is also the need to encouragethe establishment of more social organisations like SCD clubs where affected families can interactand counsel one another