Psychosocial effects of sickle cell disease among adolescents

One hundred and thirty eight adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease responded to a semi-structured questionnaire with respect to their attitudes to Sickle Cell Disease. Bone pain was the most frequent reason for admission into the hospital. Those who had more than three hospital admission for either bone pain, blood transfusion or infection saw themselves as unhappy people. A sense of shame in public, inability to play games of their choice, fear of dying young, and fear of not achieving their goals in life were reasons given for unhappiness. Majority of them appreciated that their parents were concerned about their plight. The need for further research in the area of the attitudes of sicklers is discussed.