| Autor: |
Dennis-Antwi JA; Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Accra, Ghana.; Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana, Accra, Ghana., Ohene-Frempong K; Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana, Accra, Ghana., Anie KA; Hematology and Sickle Cell Centre, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London, London, UK., Dzikunu H; Accra, Ghana., Agyare VA; SDA Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Kumasi, Ghana., Boadu RO; University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana., Antwi JS; National Health Learning Materials Centre, Kumasi, Ghana., Asafo MK; Regional Health Administration, Ghana Health Services, Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana., Anim-Boamah O; Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Koforidua, Ghana., Asubonteng AK; Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana, Accra, Ghana., Agyei S; Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana, Accra, Ghana., Wonkam A; Division of Human Genetics, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, National Health Laboratory Service and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa., Treadwell MJ; Department of Hematology/Oncology, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, 747 52nd Street, Oakland, CA, 94609, USA. Mtreadwell@mail.cho.org. |
| Abstrakt: |
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is highly prevalent in Africa with a significant public health burden for under-resourced countries. We employed qualitative research methods to understand the ethical, legal, and social implications of conducting genomic research in SCD under the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) initiative. The present study focused on religious and cultural aspects of SCD with the view to identifying beliefs and attitudes relevant to public health interventions in Ghana. Thematic analyses from individual and group interviews revealed six key areas of importance, namely, reliance on a supreme being; religion as a disruptive influence on health behaviors; role of religious leaders in information sharing and decision-making; social, religious, and customary norms; health and religious/supernatural beliefs; and need for social education and support through church and community. Findings suggest that public health programs in Ghana should not only aim at increasing knowledge and awareness about SCD and its management but also create an understanding of the relevance of genomics and alternative technological advancement to diagnosis and ethical decision-making around available options for health seeking. Future research should engage communities to help address the ethical and social implications of a persuasive religious influence on SCD-related health decisions. |
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