Psychological Experience of Children and Adolescents with Homozygous Sickle Cell Disease in Brazzaville

Introduction: Sickle cell disease, the most frequent hemoglobinopathy, is one of many causes of psychological repercussions. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of psychological disorders in children/adolescents living with sickle cell disease and to identify the associated factors. Patients and Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2019 at the national sickle cell center and at the mother-child consultation of the University Hospital of Brazzaville. Children/adolescents aged six to 19 years old followed for sickle cell disease were included. Psychological disorders were assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders “DSM-5” which assesses depression and anxiety disorders, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire which assesses representations of chronic diseases. SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 201 children/adolescents included, a drop in self-esteem was noted: 76.1%, anxiety 29.9%, depression 5.5% and a negative impact on daily life in all cases. These were significant negative consequences 39.3%. Advanced age, duration of illness, delay in school and puberty, use of upper-level analgesics, number of complications and hospitalizations, and occurrence of complications were associated with psychological disorders. Conclusion: The frequency of psychological disorders during the experience of the child/adolescent living with sickle cell anemia, requires that education, behaviour change communication be strengthened in order to improve the quality of care.