Saturday, July 19, 2014

Sickle Cell Disease Prevention And Diagnosis

By Coleen Torres


Sickle cell disease is a major concern especially in most of sub-Saharan Africa. This complication has no proven cure to curb it. However, there are precautions which managed properly would result into a patient living longer. Sickle cell disease prevention can be done through several means. Major departments in the world have taken responsibility over the matter by some giving primary prevention through general public awareness as well as counselling.

The disease affects the hemoglobin in red blood cells and is genetic as well. This means that it is passed from one generation to another. If your parents happen to have it, then there is all possibility that you will be affected too. There is much complication especially pains which in return interferes with vital aspects of life. They include, education, psychological development and employment. Early screening is very important as it helps to reduce its effects.

The sickle cell trait is spreading faster than expected reaching highest of its prevalence in many parts of Africa and among individuals possessing equatorial Africa origins, Saudi Arabia and the Mediterranean basin. In Africa, most prevalence of the disease trait occurs in between latitudes 15 degrees North and 20 degrees south. The population affected ranges between forty percent and ten percent in some areas.

Controlling this disease has not been easy to either the affected individuals or the doctors who are working day and night. The existence of national programs put in place to control the sickle cell sickness has helped much and should therefore be strengthened. The set programs to control this illness are under the framework of national programs for preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases.

By setting of sickle cell screening and genetic counselling programs especially in the affected countries, the disease is controlled. The sickness ought to be identified in prenatal stages which involves the screening program. Counseling, health and the above mentioned services should be made available to the affected areas as well as countries. There is raising of ethical and cultural issues from diagnosis of this illness.

The screening as well as the genetic counselling has helped reduce the number of cases born with this trait. At different levels of health care, emphasis on managing the illness has been put across. The health care use simple technology and are in addition simple hence most of these people can afford it. Once the services are made available here, there is assurance of reaching many people in the community.

It is important to train people who should diagnose, prevent and manage it in the health cares. They also tasked in providing them with the basic requirements. It is again good to involve families and community based cares in this program. They play a huge raising of awareness to others and disseminating the necessary requirements.

In conclusion, there ought to be fruitful partnership between parents, patients and health professionals. This facilitate to identify the genetic risks in affected communities as well as families.




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