AN EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA AMONG ADOLESCENT SCHOOL CHILDREN IN WESTERN KENYA

Abstract

Objective: Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) is an inherited blood disorder that impairs the functioning of the body’s red blood cells and is prevalent in subSaharan Africa with up to 3% of all births affected. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to explore the level of knowledge and awareness of SCA among high school students in Kenya to determine if an educational presentation can improve that knowledge. Design: Participants completed a pre-test, listened to and participated in an educational presentation on SCA, and completed a post-test. Setting: Two single sex boarding high schools in Western Kenya. Participants: There were 251 adolescent subjects, females = 139; males = 112. Intervention: An educational presentation on SCA Main outcome measures: Level of knowledge and awareness of SCA Results: Overall, participants had the least knowledge about SCA at the pre-test; however, their knowledge increased significantly at the post-test. In general, male participants scored lower than female participants on the pre-test, however, this main effect was qualified by a significant interaction between participants’ gender and test occasion. Although male participants scored lower than female participants on the pre-test, post-test scores were very similar between genders. Conclusion: The pre- and post-test score differences suggest that an educational presentation can significantly improve participants’ knowledge regarding SCA. Additionally, these findings provide support for further interventions aimed at improving SCA knowledge and awareness.