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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of sickle cell disease patients from a low-income region of northeastern Brazil

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Author(s):
Thales Allyrio Araújo de Medeiros Fernandes [1] ; Tereza Maria Dantas de Medeiros [2] ; Jayra Juliana Paiva Alves [3] ; Christiane Medeiros Bezerra [4] ; José Veríssimo Fernandes [5] ; Édvis Santos Soares Seram [6] ; Maria Zélia Fernandes [7] ; Maria de Fatima Sonati [8]
Total Authors: 8
Affiliation:
[1] Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte - Brasil
[2] Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - Brasil
[3] Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - Brasil
[4] Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - Brasil
[5] Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - Brasil
[6] Hemocentro Dalton Cunha - Brasil
[7] Hospital Infantil Varela Santiago - Brasil
[8] Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 8
Document type: Journal article
Source: Revista Brasileira de Hematologia e Hemoterapia; v. 37, n. 3, p. 172-177, 2015-06-00.
Abstract

Objective: To characterize the socioeconomic and demographic aspects of sickle cell disease patients from the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Northeast Brazil, and their adherence to the recommended treatment. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed at referral centers for the treatment of hematological diseases. One hundred and fifty-five unrelated individuals with sickle cell disease who went to these centers for outpatient visits were analyzed. All the patients, or their caregivers, were informed about the research procedures and objectives, and answered a standardized questionnaire. Results: The patients were predominantly younger than 12 years old, self-declared as mulatto, lived in small towns fairly distant from the referral center, and had low education and socioeconomic levels. Individuals who were ten or younger were diagnosed at an earlier age. Almost 50% of the patients were taking hydroxyurea, 91.4% reported having received pneumococcal/meningococcal vaccinations and 76.1% received penicillin as antibiotic prophylaxis. However, the majority of them reported having difficulties following the recommendations of the physicians, mainly in respect to attaining the prescribed medications and transportation to the referral centers. Conclusion: These individuals have a vulnerable socioeconomic situation that can lead to an aggravation of their general health and thus deserve special attention from the medical and psychosocial perspectives. Thus, it is necessary to improve public policies that provide Brazilian sickle cell disease patients with better access to medical treatment, living conditions, and integration into society. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 08/57441-0 - Clinical, cellular and molecular alterations in hemoglobinopathies and other hereditary hemolytic anemias
Grantee:Fernando Ferreira Costa
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants