P-076: HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIORS RELATED TO SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN KOIDU, KONO DISTRICT, SIERRA LEONE

• DOI: 10.1097/01.hs9.0000873192.03817.b6
• Publication Date: 2022-08-15T09:02:40Z
• Authors: IBEMERE S.; JAJA C.; SHAMBLEY-EBRON D.; GIBSON R.
• Keywords: Poster Presentations; 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs; RC633-647.5

Purpose: Although nearly 80% of all sickle cell disease (SCD) births occur in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and 90% children diagnosed with SCD will die from the condition, efforts to improve health outcomes this context have been riddled implementation limitations. Aside geo-political economic challenges that historically currently undermine capacity deliver healthcare particularly Sierra Leone, poor understanding cultural has also implicated. To increase knowledge elements which could interventions, study aimed describe factors influence related seeking behavior Kono District, Leone. Materials methods: Ethnography was used explore influences care. Participant observation semi-structured interviews revealed values, beliefs, practices professional family caregivers as well those SCD. Participants included persons SCD, familial caregivers, community informants. Field observations were conducted participant homes facilities. Semi-structured 27 participants. Constant comparative analysis generate codes, categories, themes explained on health-seeking community. Results: recognizing overt symptoms, then support advice (cultural values) how treat these symptoms based supernatural, traditional, and/or biomedical beliefs about Figure 1). This process led defining illness making a treatment decision according one’s belief system. described as: 1. burden division loss productivity or 2. an opportunity for increased collectivism. In describing their behaviors, participants trial error when accessing care traditional practices. returning systems gather new ideas symptom informed by following experiences after communities is worse health. Several attributed lack its treatment. Many living recounted years manner until receiving diagnosis. All interviewed suggested path integrated aspects spiritual, most successful (The Hybrid Way). Conclusion: These findings provide researchers clinicians operate within rather than outside it. Belief value linked specific at providing healing interactions leaders system; may not had exposure management. Therefore, development educational training interventions religious leaders, medicine practitioners, medical personnel imperative. accomplish this, science community-based research techniques are ensure sustainability such meet needs community.Patterns Health Seeking Behavior Care The authors do declare any conflict interest