[Sickle cell disease as a public health problem in Brazil]

Sickle cell anemia is the most prevalent hereditary disease in Brazil. However, the Brazilian literature registers no investigations into the public health aspects of the disease. This present study investigates the way of life of 80 adult patients (49 women and 31 men) with a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia, at a blood center in Brazil. The late diagnosis of the disease was one of the most significant aspects observed in this group of patients. It was also observed that the dominant problem faced by adult patients with sickle cell anemia is of an economic nature, mainly due to lack of professional opportunities. However, patients can well undertake economic activities under adequate medical supervision, according to their own limitations and potentialities. The psychotherapeutic orientation was well accepted by patients regardless of sex. It is concluded that there exists need for the establishment of community programs for early diagnosis and medical, social and psychological orientation for sickle cell anemia patients in Brazil.