English Abstract
ABSTRACT :
The purpose of this study was to find out how do adolescents with sickle cell disease perceive their disease. The study was conducted in Bahrain. The convenience sample (n=10) consisted of adolescents age 13-15 years who have sickle cell disease. The sample consisted of equal distributions of males and females. Utilizing qualitative methodology, the data was collected through face to face interviews using an interview guide and was tape recorded and was conducted by the investigator. The data was analyzed using content analysis. The data was categorized into three major categories, general information about sickle cell disease, effect of sickle cell disease on daily living and effect of sickle
cell disease on future plans and decisions. The subcategories were analyzed within each major category. The results showed that all the participants did not know the necessary information about sickle cell disease. The results also indicated that the health care provider did not provide the adolescents with sufficient information on sickle cell disease. All the adolescents in the study had a misperception about sickle cell disease and its effects on them now and in the future. Recommendations included the necessity of providing the adolescents with sickle cell disease with adequate information regarding their disease, developing and implementing a special health education program for children with sickle cell disease, and planning and implementing inservice education sessions for nurses who take care of patients with sickle cell disease.
