RE: Sickle Cell Disease Awareness and Screening Program for pregnant women in Port
Harcourt and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers State
Preventive Healthcare Initiative carried out the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) awareness exercise
amongst pregnant women at the antenatal clinics of five health facilities in Port Harcourt and
Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas. The health facilities include the Churchill Primary
Healthcare Centre (PHC), Elelenwo PHC, Mgbudukwu PHC, Ozuboko PHC, and the Rivers state
University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).
One hundred and eighty-five (185) pregnant women consented to be screened for Sickle Cell
Disease (SCD) after the SCD awareness exercise which was conducted over a period of nine
days (5th- –
13th November 2024)
Summary of Activities
Key Outcomes Screening Results:
▪ Seventy eight percent (144) testednegativefor the SCD (AA).
▪ Twenty percent (37) were identified as carriers of the Sickle trait (AS).
▪ Two percent (4) tested positive for SCD. (SS)
Referrals and Follow-Up:
▪ The four individuals identified with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) were referredfor further
medical consultation with follow up appointments scheduled for them.
▪ The thirty-seven individuals identified as carriers of the Sickle trait (AS) were offered
genetic counselling
Impact of the: Sickle Cell Disease Awareness and Screening Program
▪ We raised awareness among pregnant women about sickle cell disease and the genetic
implications.
▪ Beneficiaries were empowered with knowledge for informed decision-making regarding their
health and that of their children.
Challenges Encountered
▪ We observed the limitedawareness about the importance of sickle cell screening among more than
50% of the pregnant women.
▪ There was also lack of awareness of the existence of point of care testing kit for SCD by the most
laboratory staff
Logistical Issues:
▪ We had to repeat fifteen tests because the results were blurry and not sharp enough to interpret.
This might probably because expiration date of thetest kits was close.
