Factors associated with retention-in-care of adolescents aged 10-19 years living with sickle cell disease in Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala-Uganda. A Cross sectional study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Factors Associated with Retention-In-Care of Adolescents Aged 10-19 Years Living with Sickle Cell Disease in Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala-Uganda: A Cross Sectional Study Authors: Patience Birungi *1, Francis Xavier Kasujja 2, and Juliet Kiguli 3 1 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the School of Public Health Makerere University, 2 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the School of Public Health Makerere University 3Department of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health Makerere University, *Corresponding author, billupatie@gmail.com, +256782345646 Background Worldwide sickle cell disease has been identified as the most widespread genetic disorder. Its burden is highest in low income countries with endemic malaria. In Uganda, 25,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease every year and 70-80% die by the age of two years and malaria is likely to be a major determinant of mortality. This study was conducted to assess the proportion of adolescents retained and associated factors. Methods A cross sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection approaches was conducted at the Sickle Cell clinic at Mulago National Referral Hospital. The study involved 309 adolescent living with Sickle Cell Disease. Modified Poisson regression analysis and thematic content analysis were used to determine the relationship between retention in care and associated factors. Results: Retention in sickle cell care was associated with positive attitude to keeping clinic appointment, (PR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.02-3.30); not receiving enough medicines to last until next appointment, (PR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58-0.99) and spending more than two hours to travel to the clinic, (PR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.32-0.99). Conclusion: keeping clinic appointments, receiving inadequate medicines to last until next appointment and time taken to travel to the clinic are associated with retention into sickle cell care. Word count: 300 Key words: Retention in care. Sickle Cell, Adolescents