COMPLETE SCHOOL PROJECT TOPICS & MATERIALS :
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In sickle cell anaemia, the red blood cells clump together causing the originally round-shaped red blood cells to appear as semicircular shaped red blood cells, sickle cell anaemia disease is categorized as a disease accompanied by frequent pain, low red cell blood count, and infection.

This study sought the psychological factors influencing the wellbeing of students living with sickle cell anaemia, a study of Babcock University, Illishan Remo, Ogun State.

The study adopted a descriptive survey design in conjunction with the enumeration sampling method was used in the study to select 100 students from all departments in the study area. Data collection was done through the use and administration of a questionnaire. The data generated were analyzed using simple percentage and frequency count with the aid of the software SPSS version 20 and the linear regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses at .05 significance level. The results indicated that psychological factors has significant influence on the well-being of students living with sickle cell anaemia.

The study concluded that there is strong relationship between psychological factors and the well-being of students living with sickle cell anaemia.

In this light, the study recommended that Lecturers, HOD’s, student unions, class reps should monitor their students living with sickle cell anaemia effectively and should not allow environmental sickness to influence them as this can increase their illness, Students living with sickle cell anaemia should ensure that their friends and roommates are aware of their health status as that will positively help if any sign of illness is shown, students living with sickle cell anaemia should be assessed by psychological counselor and doctor regularly so they can might do better.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

People with sickle cell disease can live a normal life and achieve their dreams and aspirations if the condition is well managed especially from the psychological perspectives. Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disorder that can be acquired if both parents carry the disease trait (World Health Organization WHO, 2010). In sickle cell anaemia, the red blood cells clump together causing the originally round-shaped red blood cells to appear as semicircular shaped red blood cells (National Institute of Health NIH, 2013). Sickle cell anaemia disease is categorized as a disease accompanied by frequent pain, low red cell blood count, and infection (NIH, 2013). Psychological factors for sickle cell anaemia are well known risk factors for many adverse health outcomes. These psychological factors can indirectly or indirectly influence the wellbeing of students living with sickle cell anaemia. Wellbeing is now commonly proposed as a theme for outcome measures as it reflects the expanded goals of care, from medical treatment of sickle cell anaemia toward broader wellness. Several reliable ways of measuring well-being are available, including measures that focus on the presence of positive emotions and the absence of negative emotions, life satisfaction, social engagement, and physical wellness.

Sickle cell disease (SCD), also known as sickle cell anaemia or sickle cell disorder is one of the most widespread inherited lethal diseases in the world; and was first described in 1910 (Herrik, 1910). It is a common genetic disorder caused by mutations in both copies of the β-globin gene, a major subunit of haemoglobin (Hb) which damages and deforms red blood cells. The clinical picture of the disease usually emerges after four months of age with highly phenotypically variable disease (Bunn, 1997).  SCD affects millions of people worldwide. About 300, 000 children globally are born yearly with the disease (Okpala, Thomas, Westerdale, Jegede, Raj, Daley, & Abbs, 2002), whose origin is traceable to the people of Sub Saharan-Africa, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian descent (Luzzatto, 1981). Amongst these groups, people of Sub-Saharan African are known to have the highest occurrence (Gubis, Ferster, Kentos, N’Gay Munungi, Cotton, & Vertonge, 2005; Creary, 2007). A plethora of major clinical symptoms are associated with SCD. Some of these include chronic pains, acute anaemia, infection, and joint swelling and other idiosyncratic complications (Serjeant & Serjeant, 2001).  These symptoms often require sufferers go to a variety of Specialists for management.  It has been estimated that up to 90% of patients are admitted to hospitals at one time or the other for episodes of pain (Brozovic, Davies, & Brownell, 1987). Individuals with SCD are also at risk of academic failure, as well as psychosocial maladjustment (Brown, Armstrong, & Eckman, 1993).

Approximately three quarters of all new SCD births and 7.0% of the world’s carrier population of the SCD gene are found in Africa (Weatherall, 2001). SCD is a key health problem in Nigeria, the most populous black nation in Africa, with a population of over 140 million. It is estimated that SCD affects about 2% of the general population in Nigeria, which is has the highest incidence of SCD patients than any other country in the world, with over 24% of the population being carriers of the muted gene (World Health Organization (WHO, 2006). The life expectancy of patients with SCD is reduced by 25-30 years compared to that of the general population (Platt, Brambilla, Rosse, Milner, Castro, & Klug, 1994).

Over the years progress in scientific breakthrough has resulted to an increasing number of SCD Patients living longer, with fewer incidents of painful crises, and enhanced improved quality of lives. The most scientific breakthrough is the use of a drug called hydroxyurea which has reduced mortality dramatically in developed countries.  Despite these scientific advances and breakthrough in ensuring SCD patients live longer, these advances and its applicability are still very scanty in poorer countries of the world. Patients with SCD are faced with the difficult challenges of having access to drugs and qualified doctors to provide them the latest advancement in the management of their condition.

The epidemiology of SCD has made it a global disease of public health importance that has been recognized by the WHO (Makano, Williams & Marsch, 2007). In fact, the UN-WHO resolution (22 December, 2008) declaring 19 June the World Day for Sickle Cell and Thalassemia underscores the global importance of the disorder. Mabayoje (1956) highlights the burden of the disorder is this way: