Utilization of pneumococcal vaccine and penicillin prophylaxis in sickle cell disease in three African countries: assessment among healthcare providers in sickle in Africa
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Date
2021-06-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hemoglobin
Abstract
Sickle cell disease is a genetic disease with a predisposition to infections caused by encapsulated
organisms, especially Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococcal vaccines and prophylactic penicillin
have reduced the rate of this infection and mortality in sickle cell disease. However, implementation of
these interventions is limited in Africa. The objectives of the study were to assess health care providers’
behaviors with the implementation of pneumococcal vaccination and penicillin prophylaxis and to
identify barriers to their use. A 25-item online questionnaire was administered through Sickle in Africa: a
network of researchers, and healthcare providers, in Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania, working to improve
health outcomes of sickle cell disease in Africa. Data was collected and managed using the Research
Electronic Data Capture (REDCap), tools and data analysis was done using STATA version 13 and R statistical software. Eighty-two medical practitioners responded to the questionnaire. Only 54.0 and 48.7% of respondents indicated the availability of published guidelines on sickle cell disease managementand pneumococcal vaccine use, respectively, at their facilities. The majority (54.0%) perceived that the
vaccines are effective but over 20.0% were uncertain of their usefulness. All respondents from Ghana
and Tanzania affirmed the availability of guidelines for penicillin prophylaxis in contrast to 44.1% in
Nigeria. Eighty-five percent of respondents affirmed the need for penicillin prophylaxis but 15.0% had
a contrary opinion for reasons including the rarity of isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae in African
studies, and therefore, the uncertainty of its benefit. Lack of published guidelines on the management
of sickle cell disease and doubts about the necessity of prophylactic measures are potential barriers to
the implementation of effective interventions.
Description
Keywords
Siana Nkya, Emmanuel Peprah, Behaviors, penicillin prophylaxis, sickle cell disease, Sickle Pan-African Research, Sickle Pan-African Research Consortium (SPARCO), ACE: Genetic Medicine, WAGMC, University of Ghana
Citation
Biobele J. Brown, Anazoeze Madu, Raphael Z. Sangeda, Siana Nkya, Emmanuel Peprah, Vivian Paintsil, Bruno P. Mmbando, Joyce Gyamfi, Chide E. Okocha, Samuel A. Asala, Victoria Nembaware, Mario Jonas, Andre P. Kengne, Emile R. Chimusa, Arthemon Nguweneza, Hezekiah A. Isa, Uche Nnebe-Agumadu, Adekunle D. Adekile, Alex Osei-Akoto, Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, Emmanuel Balandya, Obiageli E. Nnodu, Ambroise Wonkam, Julie Makani & The SickleInAfrica Consortium (2021) Utilization of Pneumococcal Vaccine and Penicillin Prophylaxis in Sickle Cell Disease in Three African Countries: Assessment among Healthcare Providers in SickleInAfrica, Hemoglobin, 45:3, 163-170, DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2021.1954943