Stigma Associated With Sickle Cell Disease in Kumasi, Ghana

People with sickle cell disease (SCD) often face stigmatization in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa. Research is needed to understand whether it is necessary to design an SCD stigma reduction program in the Ghanaian setting. The aim of this study was to explore the perception of stigmatization for adults with SCD in Kumasi, Ghana.

Using in-depth qualitative interviews, researchers conducted a phenomenological study to investigate the perception of stigmatization for people with SCD in Kumasi, Ghana. Snowball and purposive sampling was used to identify the participants.

Participants (n = 12) were mostly female, Akan, and Christian. Researchers categorized three main themes: (a) Feelings of social isolation, (b) Fear of disclosure, and (c) Bullying about physical appearance.

The findings highlight the need to develop effective strategies to counteract stigma. Transcultural health care providers can implement stigma reduction interventions that might be applicable throughout Africa where findings are likely to resonate with patients with SCD.