Unveiling the psychosocial and academic implications of living with sickle cell disease among undergraduates in a private university in Nigeria
BackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD), a disease characterized with abnormal red blood cell morphology and is associated with diverse clinical manifestations and contribute to many psychosocial problems like social stigma, strained relationships and reduced self-esteem. SCD is highly prevalent in Sub-...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1531161/full |
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| author | Olumide T. Adeleke Olufemi Folaranmi Yetunde Olasinde Larry Ayuba Oludamola V. Adeleke Modupe M. Ojo-Rufai Efeturi Agelebe Oyelola E. Adeoye Aderemi T. Olabode Dolapo E. Ajala Titilola S. Akingbola |
| author_facet | Olumide T. Adeleke Olufemi Folaranmi Yetunde Olasinde Larry Ayuba Oludamola V. Adeleke Modupe M. Ojo-Rufai Efeturi Agelebe Oyelola E. Adeoye Aderemi T. Olabode Dolapo E. Ajala Titilola S. Akingbola |
| author_sort | Olumide T. Adeleke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD), a disease characterized with abnormal red blood cell morphology and is associated with diverse clinical manifestations and contribute to many psychosocial problems like social stigma, strained relationships and reduced self-esteem. SCD is highly prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria having the largest burden. This qualitative study is aimed at exploring possible psychosocial and academic challenges associated with sickle cell disease among undergraduates in Nigeria.MethodsFrom September 2023 to February 2024, the authors conducted an exploratory descriptive study using in-depth interviews among 22 undergraduate students with SCD at Bowen University, Osun State, Nigeria, employing an in-depth interviewer guide. Ethical approval was obtained from Bowen University Ethical Review Board prior to the conduct of the study. The data was analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsSix (6) distinct themes emerged from the research data and each of the themes was linked to the study objectives. Many of the participants expressed disruption of academic activities by frequent SCD crisis. This negatively affected their academic performance, and sometimes led to feelings of frustration. Furthermore, the recurrent battles with pain due to vascular occlusion took a toll on their emotional and psychological health. They also experienced stigmatization and strained interpersonal relationships which negatively influenced their mental well-being. Conversely, some SCD patients enjoy some social support from colleagues and family members which gives hope and succor to them during difficult times.ConclusionThis study reveals that undergraduates with SCD face various academic and psychosocial challenges that affect their overall performance. The findings underscored the need for increased awareness, support, and understanding to better assist undergraduates with SCD in managing their health and academic responsibilities effectively. Considering the chronic nature of SCD and its myriads of psychosocial and academic challenges, measures should be put in place to mitigate the challenges and enable them to live a fulfilling life. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-36943328949a48f5a581a6529b4e217e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-36943328949a48f5a581a6529b4e217e2025-01-31T06:40:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-01-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15311611531161Unveiling the psychosocial and academic implications of living with sickle cell disease among undergraduates in a private university in NigeriaOlumide T. Adeleke0Olufemi Folaranmi1Yetunde Olasinde2Larry Ayuba3Oludamola V. Adeleke4Modupe M. Ojo-Rufai5Efeturi Agelebe6Oyelola E. Adeoye7Aderemi T. Olabode8Dolapo E. Ajala9Titilola S. Akingbola10Department of Family Medicine, Bowen University Teaching Hospital/Bowen University, Iwo, NigeriaDepartment of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Bowen University Teaching Hospital/Bowen University, Iwo, NigeriaPediatric Department, Bowen University Teaching Hospital/Bowen University, Iwo, NigeriaDepartment of Family Medicine, Bowen University Teaching Hospital/Bowen University, Iwo, NigeriaNursing Unit, Bowen University Hospital, Bowen University, Iwo, NigeriaBowen University Hospital, Bowen University, Iwo, NigeriaPediatric Department, Bowen University Teaching Hospital/Bowen University, Iwo, NigeriaPublic Health Programme, Bowen University, Iwo, NigeriaPublic Health Department, Fountain University, Osogbo, NigeriaDepartment of Family Medicine, Bowen University Teaching Hospital/Bowen University, Iwo, NigeriaHaematology Department, University College Hospital/University of Ibadan, Ibadan, NigeriaBackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD), a disease characterized with abnormal red blood cell morphology and is associated with diverse clinical manifestations and contribute to many psychosocial problems like social stigma, strained relationships and reduced self-esteem. SCD is highly prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria having the largest burden. This qualitative study is aimed at exploring possible psychosocial and academic challenges associated with sickle cell disease among undergraduates in Nigeria.MethodsFrom September 2023 to February 2024, the authors conducted an exploratory descriptive study using in-depth interviews among 22 undergraduate students with SCD at Bowen University, Osun State, Nigeria, employing an in-depth interviewer guide. Ethical approval was obtained from Bowen University Ethical Review Board prior to the conduct of the study. The data was analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsSix (6) distinct themes emerged from the research data and each of the themes was linked to the study objectives. Many of the participants expressed disruption of academic activities by frequent SCD crisis. This negatively affected their academic performance, and sometimes led to feelings of frustration. Furthermore, the recurrent battles with pain due to vascular occlusion took a toll on their emotional and psychological health. They also experienced stigmatization and strained interpersonal relationships which negatively influenced their mental well-being. Conversely, some SCD patients enjoy some social support from colleagues and family members which gives hope and succor to them during difficult times.ConclusionThis study reveals that undergraduates with SCD face various academic and psychosocial challenges that affect their overall performance. The findings underscored the need for increased awareness, support, and understanding to better assist undergraduates with SCD in managing their health and academic responsibilities effectively. Considering the chronic nature of SCD and its myriads of psychosocial and academic challenges, measures should be put in place to mitigate the challenges and enable them to live a fulfilling life.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1531161/fullsickle cell diseaseacademicspsychosocialliving with sickle cell diseaseundergraduatesSCD |
| spellingShingle | Olumide T. Adeleke Olufemi Folaranmi Yetunde Olasinde Larry Ayuba Oludamola V. Adeleke Modupe M. Ojo-Rufai Efeturi Agelebe Oyelola E. Adeoye Aderemi T. Olabode Dolapo E. Ajala Titilola S. Akingbola Unveiling the psychosocial and academic implications of living with sickle cell disease among undergraduates in a private university in Nigeria Frontiers in Public Health sickle cell disease academics psychosocial living with sickle cell disease undergraduates SCD |
| title | Unveiling the psychosocial and academic implications of living with sickle cell disease among undergraduates in a private university in Nigeria |
| title_full | Unveiling the psychosocial and academic implications of living with sickle cell disease among undergraduates in a private university in Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Unveiling the psychosocial and academic implications of living with sickle cell disease among undergraduates in a private university in Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unveiling the psychosocial and academic implications of living with sickle cell disease among undergraduates in a private university in Nigeria |
| title_short | Unveiling the psychosocial and academic implications of living with sickle cell disease among undergraduates in a private university in Nigeria |
| title_sort | unveiling the psychosocial and academic implications of living with sickle cell disease among undergraduates in a private university in nigeria |
| topic | sickle cell disease academics psychosocial living with sickle cell disease undergraduates SCD |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1531161/full |
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