Department of Haematology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki / Ebonyi State University, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Email:
Department of Paediatrics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
West Afr J Med. 2023 Mar 31;40(3):298-304.
Newborn screening (NBS) for sickle cell disease (SCD) has been shown to reduce early childhood morbidity and mortality associated with sickle cell disease (SCD) but the programme is yet to gain universal coverage in Nigeria. The study assessed the awareness and acceptability of NBS for sickle cell disease for newly delivered mothers.
This was a cross-sectional study conducted to assess 780 mothers admitted into the postnatal ward 0-48 hours after delivery at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. Pre-validated questionnaires were employed for data collection and statistical analysis was performed using the United States' Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) Epi Info 7.1.4 software.
Only 172 (22%) and 96 (12.2%) of the mothers were aware of NBS and comprehensive care for babies with SCD respectively. The acceptance of NBS was high, 718 (92%) among the mothers. The reasons for acceptance of NBS were to know how to take care of the baby 416 (57.9%), know the genotype status 180 (25.1%) while the motivating factors for NBS were knowledge of benefits 455 (58%) and the cost is free 205 (26.1%). The majority of the mothers 561(71.6%) agree that SCD can be ameliorated by NBS while 80 (24.6%) do not know if it can.
There was low awareness of NBS and comprehensive care for babies with SCD among mothers with newborns, however acceptability for NBS was high. There is a considerable need to bridge the communication gap between health workers and parents to increase their awareness.
新生儿镰状细胞病（SCD）筛查已被证明可降低与镰状细胞病（SCD）相关的儿童早期发病率和死亡率，但该计划尚未在尼日利亚普及。本研究评估了新产妇对 SCD 新生儿筛查的知晓率和接受度。
这是一项横断面研究，评估了在尼日利亚阿巴卡利基亚历克斯·埃克韦梅联邦大学教学医院分娩后 0-48 小时内进入产后病房的 780 名母亲。使用预先验证的问卷进行数据收集，并使用美国疾病预防控制中心（CDC）Epi Info 7.1.4 软件进行统计分析。
只有 172（22%）和 96（12.2%）名母亲分别了解 NBS 和 SCD 婴儿的综合护理。718 名（92%）母亲接受 NBS。接受 NBS 的原因包括了解如何照顾婴儿 416 名（57.9%）、了解基因型状态 180 名（25.1%），而接受 NBS 的动机包括了解益处 455 名（58%）和免费 205 名（26.1%）。大多数母亲 561 名（71.6%）认为 NBS 可以改善 SCD，而 80 名（24.6%）不知道是否可以。
母亲对新生儿 SCD 的 NBS 和综合护理知晓率较低，但对 NBS 的接受度较高。需要在卫生工作者和父母之间弥合沟通差距，以提高他们的意识。
