Sunday, July 20, 2014

Sickle Cell Disease Prevention In The Affected Areas

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.

In most parts of Saudi Arabia, Mediterranean basin, some parts of Africa among those people having equatorial Africa origins, the cell trait is spreading at an alarming rate. For instance in Africa, the most affected individuals are those around areas of latitudes fifteen degrees North as well as twenty degrees south. In several areas, population experiencing this sickness ranges between 10 percent and 40 percent.

People are confused on what way to take to control this disease. There are national programs set to control sickle cell sickness and therefore ought to be strengthened. The national program for prevention and control of non communicable diseases is the framework under which the set programs to control the illness are. The affected countries should be equipped with these programs.

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.

Training of individuals to diagnosis, prevent as the case management ensures that the health cares provide the affected people with the required basic services. The responsibility to involve the community-based care and families should be left to the national program. These inclusions are part and parcel of making these programs be successful. The set research as well as surveillance should be taken serious as they play a huge role.

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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