Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in the Assessment, and Management of Sickle-Cell Disease: A Meta-Aggregative Review

Andrews Adjei Druye; Dorcas Frempomaa Agyare; William Akoto-Buabeng; Jethro Zutah; Frank Odonkor Offei; Bernard Nabe; Godson Obeng Ofori; Amidu Alhassan; Benjamin Kofi Anumel; Godfred Cobbinah; Susanna Aba Abraham; Mustapha Amoadu; John Elvis Hagan Jr

doi:10.3390/diseases12070156

Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in the Assessment, and Management of Sickle-Cell Disease: A Meta-Aggregative Review

Diseases. 2024 Jul 14;12(7):156. doi: 10.3390/diseases12070156.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana.
² Department of Education and Psychology, Faculty of Educational Foundations, College of Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana.
³ Center of Health Research Advancement and Policy, Accra P.O. Box LG949, Ghana.
⁴ Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana.
⁵ Department of Public Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast CC 3321, Ghana.
⁶ Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Postfach 10 01 31, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany.

Abstract

Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) presents significant health challenges globally. Despite its prevalence in diverse geographical regions, there is a paucity of literature synthesizing evidence on healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward SCD assessment and management. This meta-aggregative review systematically examined and synthesized existing qualitative research to elucidate healthcare professionals' KAP regarding SCD assessment and management.

Methods: This meta-aggregative review followed Aromataris and Pearson's guidelines and the PRISMA framework for systematic review reporting. The search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Web of Science, Google Scholar, Dimensions AI, and HINARI. Quality appraisal was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool.

Results: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) demonstrate varying levels of KAP toward SCD assessment and management. Studies reveal low-to-moderate levels of general knowledge among HCPs, with nurses often exhibiting poorer understanding than physicians. Deficiencies in awareness of specific interventions, such as chemoprophylaxis and prenatal diagnosis, are noted, along with gaps in SCD assessment and diagnosis, particularly in pain management and premarital screening. Attitudes toward SCD patients vary, and practices reveal inconsistencies and deficiencies, including inadequate nutritional counseling and barriers in emergency departments. However, interventions aimed at improving HCPs' KAP show promise in enhancing understanding and attitudes toward SCD, suggesting potential avenues for improvement.

Conclusions: Educational initiatives targeted at both student nurses and practicing healthcare providers, coupled with the implementation of standardized protocols and guidelines, can enhance knowledge acquisition and promote consistent, high-quality care delivery. Future studies should improve the quality of their methods in this area of study.

Keywords: attitude; healthcare; knowledge; management; practices; sickle-cell disease.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.