Towards an Information System for Sickle Cell Neonatal Screening in Senegal.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Genetics
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major global health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, affecting millions annually.
• In Senegal, 1 in 10 individuals carry the SCD gene, necessitating lifelong patient management.
• Effective SCD care requires integrating diverse data, including biological, clinical, social, and economic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and describe a health information system (HIS) for managing sickle cell disease data in Senegal.
• To facilitate efficient data collection for newborn blood sampling and disease screening.
• To support comprehensive patient care by integrating various data types.

Main Methods:

• Development of a health information system tailored for SCD data management.
• Implementation of data collection protocols for newborn blood sampling at maternity wards.
• Integration of screening data from the Center for Research and Ambulatory Care of the Sickle Cell Disease (CERPAD).

Main Results:

• The proposed HIS enables centralized management of critical patient information.
• Improved data accessibility for healthcare providers involved in SCD care.
• Potential for enhanced analysis of biological, clinical, and socio-economic data for better patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The developed health information system offers a robust solution for managing sickle cell disease data in Senegal.
• This system can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of newborn screening and lifelong patient monitoring.
• Implementing such systems is crucial for addressing the public health burden of sickle cell disease in high-prevalence regions.