Clinical status of sickle cell anemia and the impact on the caregivers finances at a tertiary hospital, North-West Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Chronic condition like sickle cell anemia (SCA) is known to deplete family resource. The clinical status of children with SCA affects finances of the caregivers. Aim: The study aimed at determining the clinical impact of children with SCA on their caregivers' finances with the view to reduce the disease-associated financial burden. Patients, Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study of 133 caregivers and their children with SCA managed at the sickle cell disease (SCD) clinic of the Paediatric Department of Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, North-Western Nigeria conducted between February and April 2016. A structured SCD burden interview was used. It has a total of 16 questions for four domains. The domain on the family finances has 3 questions each with a score ranging from 0 to 3. The clinical status of children with SCA was assessed using clinical parameters such as number of painful crisis, hospitalization, blood transfusion, and school absenteeism over the previous year. Results: About 63 (47.4%) of the caregivers were more than 35 years of age. Eighty-four (63.2%) were Hausas, 100 (75.2%) were Muslims, and 114 (85.7%) were married. Those with secondary education were 45 (33.8%), 43 (32.3%) were unemployed, and 42 (31.6%) were unskilled laborers. Source of their health-care financing was mainly out of pocket in 126 (94.7%) while 47 (35.3%) had an average monthly income between ₦20,000 and ₦50,000. More than half of the caregivers 82 (61.7%) were not member of a social group. The statistical analysis of the clinical status of the children with sickle cell anemia on their caregivers finances revealed significant relationship between number of school absenteeism of the children and finances of the caregivers (P = 0.010). Conclusion: Clinical status of children with SCA affects caregivers' finances.