Hydroxyurea Uptake among Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia at a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is the most common genetic disease in the world, with Sub-Saharan Africa bearing the heaviest burden. Despite the availability and known benefits of hydroxyurea, its use in low- and middle-income countries has been limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of children with SCA who receive HU at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH)’s paediatric haematology clinic, as well as to highlight the sociodemographic correlates of users.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was done at the Paediatric Haematology clinic of RSUTH. The study participants were children with SCA attending the clinic. An interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic data and information concerning the uptake of HU from caregivers of the subjects.

This study enlisted the participation of 88 children. There were 38 (43.2%) males and 50 (56.8%) females, for a male to female ratio of 1:1.3. The subjects' ages ranged from 2 to 18 years. Approximately half of the study participants came from affluent families. In total, 26 (29.5 percent) of the study participants used hydroxyurea. The use of hydroxyurea was significantly higher in the upper socioeconomic class compared to the middle and lower classes. Its use was also significantly higher among those suffering from sickle cell disease complications.

Hydroxyurea uptake remains low. Some of the factors to consider when attempting to increase Hydroxyurea uptake should be affordability and advocacy, taking into account the socioeconomic status relationship between users and uptake.