Views and Experiences of Parents and Physicians on the Care Provided to Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Cameroon

Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) affects two in 100 Cameroonian new-borns, with 50-90% of affected children dying before their fifth birthday. Despite this burden, there is no national SCD programme in Cameroon. This study sought to assess the knowledge of parents and physicians on SCD, their satisfaction with the quality of care and their recommendations to improve the treatment of SCD in Cameroon. Methods: A multi-centre cross-sectional survey was conducted in English and French, using structured questionnaires distributed in electronic format to physicians throughout Cameroon. Paper-based questionnaires were also administered to parents in the West and North West regions of Cameroon. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analysed using the SPSS statistical software. Results: Fifty-four parents and 205 physicians were recruited. We found that 72.2% of parents had good knowledge of SCD, 72.2% of parents were satisfied with the quality of care. Attending a sickle cell clinic (AOR 22, 95% CI 17.70-250) was significantly associated with having good knowledge. Just 14.2% of physicians had good knowledge and 23.3% of physicians were satisfied with the available management standards of SCD. Seeing more than five patients per month (AOR 3.17, 95% CI 1.23-8.20) was significantly associated with having good knowledge. Sickle cell clinics, national guidelines and subsidised treatment were the top three measures proposed by physicians and parents to improve the management of SCD. Conclusion: Knowledge of SCD and satisfaction with care were poor among Cameroonian physicians. There is a need for a national programme and a comprehensive system of care for SCD in Cameroon.